Retail incubator in the Grove gives space, resources to help small business owners thrive

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A popular St. Louis neighborhood is adding retail space to the mix while creating a space for retail businesses to thrive.

Eric Outlaw Business Center Retail Incubator along Manchester in The Grove gives three businesses 14 months in an incubator to test the waters as they navigate developing their products.

“I think it gives me a great opportunity to learn,” said Joi Riley, owner of J.R Candle Company. “[The] program has given me resources and education and networking, and I’m learning. Although I’ve done this for a few years, I have a lot to learn.”

J.R. Candle Company began in 2019 but was ripped apart in 2022.

“We had a house that burned down, and I ran out of the house and this is actually my debut back,” Riley said.

Owner and designer Gabriel Williams, of Truly Rare Designs, is another business inside the incubator. She says she hopes her clothing line empowers others.

“Crazy start to my marathon,” said Williams. “Whatever I want, it’s mine. it’s just my personality now.”

Williams, Riley and Michelle Robinson, CEO of DEMIblue Natural Nails, were the three selected out of 80 applicants.

The storefront space and workspace inside the cohort happened through Park Central Development.

“We know entrepreneurship is already hard, but it’s particularly hard for people of color. particularly female minority-owned businesses,” said Eric James, Park Central Development’s Assistant Executive Director

James says entrepreneurs will have access to advisers to help with finances and they’ll be given a curriculum to help sustain their business. Each business owner will be part of the cohort for 14 months to try things out, in the hope of helping women build better businesses.

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