A pilot program aimed at supporting the growth and sustainability of small businesses in Hampton has been announced by the Retail Alliance and Phoebus Partnership. This initiative is being made possible through a $100,000 Virginia Business District Resurgence grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Out of eleven applicants, five recipients have been selected for the program: Art Central Gallery, Happy Hempo, Palace Jewelers, SeeWhich Books, and Sly Clyde Ciderworks. The selected businesses will receive individual evaluations of their customer experience from a multi-channel perspective, along with recommendations on how to develop a seamless customer experience. The grant money will then be used to help these businesses implement these recommendations.
As part of the program, three workshops will be held for all businesses in the commercial district. These workshops aim to provide all businesses with valuable resources and tools that they can use to improve their operations and grow their customer base.
The goal of this program is not only to support individual businesses but also to invest in the overall economic vitality of the Phoebus district. By empowering these businesses with the resources they need to thrive and operate sustainably, the program aims to strengthen Downtown Phoebus as a vibrant community and enduring destination.
