A new business incubator is getting started in Buchanan. Live Buchanan Director Ashley Regal tells us they’ve rented the former Hometown Video location right downtown and are turning it into a space for fledgling businesses to get started.
“We have a really strong maker and entrepreneur culture here in Buchanan,” Regal said. “We’ve had a lot of industrious people who have been here since its founding. So, we just have this culture of small business and pitching in and making things happen.”
The incubator is all about nurturing that spirit. Regal says many small businesses fail within a few years, and relieving them of the expense of having a building and letting them locate in the incubator could help upstarts get their footing.
“To test the market on real people, get feedback, and then hopefully be able to save up and get an even stronger business model that they can be placed in the community long term.”
The former Hometown Video at 101 Days Avenue is the largest vacant building in downtown Buchanan. Regal says once “Hometown and Company” is launched, people will be able to go there and browse the wares of several businesses, similar to shopping at a farmers market. Applications are being taken from interested entrepreneurs now. Regal says their focus is on retail and food.
