Free commercial rent for a month in South Norwalk

AGW SONO Partners is looking for entrepreneurs interested in opening a physical location on Washington Street, the beating heart of downtown South Norwalk (also known as SoNo).

Anybody with aspirations of opening a store, shop, or even a café is encouraged to enter the third On Washington Entrepreneur Contest at https://bit.ly/onwashbiz2024 before March 29.

Submissions must include a proposal for the business featuring an entrepreneur profile, a concept deck featuring samples and examples, a separate branding deck, and a description for a possible marketing campaign. Financial projections are encouraged, but not required.

The unique opportunity stems from AGW Partners’ heavy investment in the area, according to Adam Greenbaum, one of the company’s founders.

“In 2019 we bought 27 properties on Washington Street,” Greenbaum explained. “Part of what made it a really unique commercial real estate investment is that as opposed to buying a single asset or maybe building, or even two or three properties at once… this was the first time we bought a foothold in an entire community.”

“You have so much more opportunity to achieve progress through initiatives, whether those are charitable events or collaborations and partnerships,” Greenbaum said of the way AGW Partners approaches South Norwalk properties as a collective. He noted that Washington Street is a unique destination because almost every occupied storefront belongs to an independent local business, not a chain. Greenbaum described this as a feature AGW Partners hope to promote with the contest.

“A lot of small business want to have a retail presence, but it’s not feasible for a lot of them, especially those that right now are mostly internet businesses for their revenue.”

Previous winners of the contest have included an IV drip therapy salon, and the Earth-friendly retailer and café EcoEvolution. EcoEvolution sells home goods designed to have minimal environmental impact alongside a curated selection of vintage goods and responsibly sourced coffee.

Bradley Kerner, who started by reviewing products as “the EcoDude,” on Instagram was the first winner of the contest in 2021. He was inspired by his initial success to enter a five year lease. Since its founding the shop has become a fixture of Washington Street, serving at times as a coworking space, a venue for deep discussions, and host for performances.

EcoEvolution is also in the midst of expanding its breakfast offerings and providing additional seating.

“The opportunity is amazing, and the potential for a long-term lease is within reach for a dynamic entrepreneur with a progressive concept and well-thought-out business plan,” said Linda Kavanagh, the Director of OnWashington, a group founded to promote the South Norwalk community of small businesses that works closely with AGW Partners.

“What AGW is offering doesn’t come around often,” Kavanagh continued. “You don’t see a lot of local landlords willing to invest in their tenants and do what it takes to enhance the consumer experience with meaningful businesses in their spaces, as well as contribute to the overall appeal and foot traffic that benefits all of the businesses on the street.”

Contestants will be considered for one of two locations, a former art gallery of almost 5,000 square feet with high ceilings on the north side of Washington Street, and a smaller space that Greenbaum said might make more sense for certain applications.

Greenbaum encouraged entrepreneurs and would be business owners of all varieties to apply, although he noted that neither space is currently outfitted for a full kitchen and given the one month period renovations, to the space are likely not feasible.