It鈥檚 up to the voting public which of the top five contenders will be the next new business to set up shop in Downtown 91原创.
Downtown 91原创 Business Association (DLBA) held its Start It Up 91原创 contest earlier this spring, and after reviewing all the submissions, judges have whittled that list down to just a handful 鈥� all food-oriented establishments, said executive director Teri James.
鈥淲e鈥檝e narrowed it down to five outstanding semi-finalists who all have something unique to bring to the Downtown 91原创 community,鈥� she said.
The winning business in the Start It Up 91原创 contest will receive more than $130,000 in prizes, including six months free rent, marketing support, legal and accounting set up, business coaching, a grand opening reception, and more.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to turn this over to the public to see what they would like to have as a business in downtown 91原创 City,鈥� James said, revealing the list the five finalists.
鈥� Clayton Height鈥檚 resident Cliff Dalrymple | The Pink Donut Cake Shop, 鈥渙ffering delicious specialty donuts and cakes that are baked fresh daily.鈥�
鈥� 91原创鈥檚 own Jennifer Henderson | Elevate & Anchor 鈥� A Tea Shop & Wellness Studio, offering 鈥渁 peaceful space where customers can enjoy a relaxing blend of teas and participate in wellness classes.鈥�
鈥� Maple Ridge resident Chaylene Lidell & Shaughnessy Keely | PinkAVO Cafe, 鈥渙ffering healthy, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly food, vibrant decor and Instagrammable pink lattes.鈥�
鈥� Walnut Grove resident Brian McKenna | Old Ted鈥檚 Cure 鈥� A Salmon Boutique 鈥渙ffering fresh cured and smoked salmon and specialized culinary equipment.鈥�
鈥� Cloverdale鈥檚 Vicki Nguyen | Phound 鈥� A Dessert Shop & Bakery, offering 鈥渁 place where smiles, memories, and delicious sweets are made using local ingredients.鈥�
There were more than 50 applicants, but 鈥渦nfortunately many didn鈥檛 meet the criteria for the retail component,鈥� James explained.
As well, the contestants were required to put up a $30,000 capital commitment of their own, which she said disqualified several applicants.
鈥淥ur criteria wasn鈥檛 unrealistic, just required. Canada Revenue Agency check, Criminal Records check, some capital funds of their own and a business plan that made sense,鈥� James elaborated. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 easy, but I strongly believe that [the judges] did their due diligence. Our goal is to ensure the success of the new business, and the dotted Is and crossed Ts will go a long way to ensure the success and future of this new and exciting business.
鈥�$130,000 for a business start-up doesn鈥檛 just happen, you have to work for it, and we believe these five semi-finalists have worked for it,鈥� James added, saying they now have more work to do.
Finalists are now tasked with gaining as many online votes as possible before July 11.
The three proposed companies with the most votes at that time will proceed to the final judging round, James explained.
Contest judges 鈥� members of the 91原创 business community 鈥� will then select the winner of the grand prize, and the winner will be announced July 16.
Asked if there are plans to host this business contest again, James wasn鈥檛 sure, yet.
Admittedly, she said, it鈥檚 a lot of work and takes a huge commitment from a lot of 鈥渋ncredible鈥� sponsors to pull off a competition of this magnitude.
鈥淢aybe in two years, and if so, we would open it up to second locations and re-locations. There鈥檚 a lot of successful and thriving businesses that we would love to have in downtown 91原创 City,鈥� she said.
In the meantime, members of the public are invited to vote once per day until July 11 at .
