RUMFORD — Envision Rumford will host a presentation Tuesday by Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford, on the concept of “pop-up” stores and how Rumford can get involved with it.

It will begin at 6:30 p.m. May 14 inside the Rumford Auditorium.

Envision Rumford member Jim Rinaldo said that pop-up stores are businesses that rent out an empty storefront at a reduced price and use it to help jump-start their business.

“The business owners and the landlords would work out a rental agreement so the business could temporarily set up shop in the empty store,” Rinaldo said. “It lets entrepreneurs and people who are trying to get a business started get a head start without having to pay top dollar to start.”

Poupore’s work with The Heart of Biddeford, a volunteer organization that works to improve downtown Biddeford, has allowed businesses to open pop-up stores downtown.

The Heart of Biddeford is part of the Main Street Maine Community, which is “a community-driven, comprehensive methodology used to revitalize older, traditional business districts throughout the United States,” according to the Maine Development Foundation website.

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“I think it’s a great idea, because we have so many empty storefronts in Rumford right now,” Rinaldo said, “and when the businesses start bringing in customers and making more money, it’s possible for them to renegotiate with the property owners to match their profits.”

Rinaldo explained that the Main Street Maine program follows four steps when attempting to revitalize downtown areas: organization, design, promotion and pop-ups.

“When Delilah comes down here on Tuesday, she’ll be talking a lot about the pop-up aspect,” Rinaldo said.

He said he’s hoping Poupore’s visit will let businesses know that Rumford can be a good place for this program.

“It doesn’t matter if an up and coming entrepreneur is 16 or 60,” Rinaldo said. “This will help new businesses get their feet wet.”

mdaigle@sunjournal.com


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