Six winners named in Pop Local contest at The Shops of Carriage Crossing
Edwards Realty Company, a boutique property management, investment and development firm that operates The Shops at Carriage Crossing, today announced six winners of its Pop Local competition, an award-winning initiative intended to create new opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs based in the Mid-South.
“This Pop Local competition exceeded our expectations, as we received over 200 applications – the most we’ve seen out of the four markets we’ve launched this program in,” said Ramzi Hassan, president of Edwards Realty Company. “We originally intended on awarding two winners; however, after a thorough review of our finalists, we decided to name six due to their preparedness and fit in our retail space. The success of this program and its applicants speaks to the readiness and vitality of the Mid-South small business community.”
Each business will receive $5,000 to jumpstart or enhance their business ventures and three months of free rent at Carriage Crossing – a total market value of $100,000. The new businesses will be open during November, December and January, allowing the winners to capitalize on the holiday season.
Pop Local’s six winners and their Carriage Crossing property locations are as follows:
Suite 133 (1,440 square feet)
Suite 626 (4,000 square feet)
Suite 214 (1,750 square feet)
Suite 715 (1,200 square feet)
Suite 137 (1,076 square feet)
Suite 814 (1,438 square feet)
“We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share our talents in a new studio with a fresh community – creating a secure haven for our dancers and building bridges to young dreams, one dance step at a time,” said Ladia Yates, Pop Local winner and owner of L.Y.E. Academy. “We've won not just a building but a canvas for our children’s dance journeys. I can't wait to bring the joy of movement to the Collierville community and make a positive impact.”
“I’m so honored to have this opportunity,” said Laura Salvati, another Pop Local winner and owner of One Cozy Home. “As a small business, it has been difficult to grow as quickly as I’d like. Having my own retail shop will allow me to connect with the local community and inspire customers in ways I otherwise couldn’t.”
Pop Local supports small businesses while promoting the local community, creating a balance between emerging brands and concepts with national retailers at their centers. The program successfully launched local businesses at Edwards Realty Company properties in Burr Ridge, Illinois; Orland Park, Illinois; and St. Louis, Missouri. To learn more, visit www.shoppoplocal.com/carriage-crossing.
