Make it on Main Street Volume II
Make it on Main Street was born in 2018 through a donation made by Paul Pabst, who believed in the value of growing Downtown Wilmington. Wilmington Works formed a committee and planned the first business plan competition, offering a cash prize of $20,000. The committee established guidelines and parameters for applicants to submit their initial business ideas. The competition was open to anyone over the age of 18, from anywhere, who wanted to open a business within Wilmington's designated downtown area. With the opportunity to propose any type of business, the judges were particularly interested in ideas that would diversify the downtown landscape.
Three finalists were selected to present their final business plans to the public: Beurremont Bakery, Haystack Coffee Collaborative, and 802 Fitness and Therapy. During deliberations, the judges decided to allocate an additional $10,000, awarding each finalist a prize of $10,000. The winners then got to work on opening their businesses. Both 802 Fitness & Therapy and 802 Fitness and Beurremont Bakery, opened in the Old School Community Center, while Haystack Coffee Collaborative ultimately chose to open outside the designated downtown area, they were not able to utilize the prize money.
Six years later, Wilmington Works received an incredible $75,000 donation from the founder of The Wilmington Fund, Dan Kilmurray to organize another business plan competition. Reflecting on the first competition’s success, the team felt proud of the incredible entrepreneurs who had flourished. Both the Butter Mountain Bakery and 802 Fitness continue to thrive after winning Make it on Main Street. Additionally, 1a Coffee Roasters, inspired by the first competition, eventually moved to Wilmington and expanded into a coffee shop, bakery, and brewpub. To say Wilmington Works is proud is an understatement—these business owners continue to thrive and make downtown a vibrant, welcoming, and diverse place.
With the newly donated funds, Wilmington Works quickly got to work, forming a new committee and planning Make it on Main Street Volume II with great excitement for what lay ahead. This business competition was open to new businesses, businesses looking to relocate, or businesses aiming to expand within downtown Wilmington. Applications opened at the end of September, and the response was overwhelming, with 26 submissions.
Following the initial application review, the judges selected 10 applicants to advance to Round 2, where they were paired with mentors and tasked with developing a detailed business plan. After evaluating the Round 2 submissions, the judges narrowed the competition down to four finalists, who moved on to Round 3, where they were required to deliver an oral presentation of their finalized business plans.
As fall turned into winter, the excitement built for the final event! Open to the public, this stage of the competition allowed the community to watch and support the finalists as they presented their business plans. The event was held at the stunning Arthouse Gallery, which had recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. A new catering company, Sodam Catering, provided delicious food for all to enjoy. This competition would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Our judges graciously volunteered their time throughout the entire process, each offering invaluable expertise and guidance.
If you were present at the final event, you could feel the passion radiating from each finalist as they presented their business plans. Their dedication and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. The judges faced an incredibly difficult task in deliberating and selecting the winners, knowing that one business could potentially take home the entire $75,000 cash prize. After careful consideration, the judges reached a decision. But before announcing the winners, we shared an exciting surprise—Wilmington Works decided to contribute an additional $20,000, and an anonymous donor generously added another $15,000 to the prize pool. In the end, Butter Mountain Bakery won first place, receiving $50,000. Local Loop secured second place with $45,000, and Cherry Press Printmaking took third with $15,000.
Seeing so many individuals eager to open or expand their businesses in Wilmington is truly inspiring. The strong belief in our downtown’s potential is evident, and it serves as a powerful motivation to continue working hard to support and uplift our local businesses.
Continue to follow along on as our businesses begin this new journey!
*Check out the article from the Reformer!