CBN member, Cherokee Street Community Improvement District (CID), is helping turn vacant storefronts into opportunities for the next generation of small business owners through its new Cherokee Pulse Project.
Launched in 2026, the initiative connects aspiring entrepreneurs with vacant commercial spaces through a flexible leasing model designed to reduce the financial barriers of opening a brick-and-mortar business. Instead of traditional fixed monthly rent, participating businesses enter into a six-month lease and pay 10% of their monthly gross sales. At the end of the pilot period, businesses have the opportunity to negotiate a longer-term lease with the property owner.
The project also connects entrepreneurs with established Cherokee Street business owners for mentorship and support, helping new businesses build relationships, gain traction, and establish a lasting presence in the neighborhood.
By bringing property owners and emerging entrepreneurs together, the Pulse Project addresses two challenges at once: commercial vacancies and the barriers small businesses face when securing their first storefront. The initiative is another investment in Cherokee Street's continued revitalization, supporting local entrepreneurship, increasing activity along the commercial corridor, and creating opportunities for new businesses to become part of the neighborhood's future.
Learn more: Cherokee Street Pulse Project
