Downtown Albany helps launch other businesses

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A new retail business in downtown Albany is using its space to help other small businesses grow.

Kawambe Dorsey is one of the owners. showroom. Two months after opening, three small business owners began allowing their products to be displayed for a month. Reflecting on when she started her own.

“Just knowing what it’s like. Wanting to have a space, but not knowing if it’s the right time or the right move. Just seeing what it feels like to be in the store,” Dorsey said.

One of those presenters is Jonita Coleman. She makes handmade signs. What started as a hobby and gifts for friends and family gradually turned into a business Treasures of Tresca.

“People started asking me, ‘How much are you going to sell this for,’ and I thought, ‘Are people really going to buy this?’ said Coleman.

When she heard about the opportunity in the program, she was one of the first to sign up using social media, her website and forums like ETSY.

“There were no surprises down there,” Coleman said.

Before she appeared in the showroom, she was selling 10-15 signs a month. One month in the showroom, and her sales are up 292 percent.

“I’m blown away by the fact that these items are handmade,” Coleman said.

Instead of getting business mostly from friends and family, she’s now sending it to strangers.

“I’ve shipped orders as far as California this month. It really gave me a boost of confidence,” Coleman said.

The showroom hosts three vendors each month. This is a way for small businesses to get some idea of ​​what it takes before opening their own space, Dorsey said.

“Hopefully, we can keep this going. It’s all about building the community and connecting with each other.

Sellers pay a small fee to be in the Showroom, but they get 100% of the money from the sales they make.

The showroom is located on Front Street in downtown Albany. They are open from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

The last day Tresca Treasures will be in the showroom is Saturday 30th July.

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