Businesses Compete for Free Retail Space in Downtown West Palm Beach Challenge

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Clematis Street in Downtown West Palm Beach may become a "street of dreams" for the creative retailer selected as the winner of "The Great Shop Showdown" competition and retail space giveaway. Sponsored by the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Great Shop Showdown is an extraordinary opportunity for new and established retailers to get game-changing exposure for their business or new concept, plus a chance to receive a year of free rent and invaluable business development assistance, such as grants, incentives and complimentary marketing services.

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"Innovative marketing strategies like the Great Shop Showdown can deliver the opportunity to bring exciting new retail concepts or top-of-the-line businesses to Downtown West Palm Beach during the still challenging – although improving – retail climate, while keeping interest in the area high among consumers," said Raphael Clemente, interim executive director of the DDA.  "For our winner, it also means a big head-start in opening a business in the heart of one of the most vibrant dining and shopping areas in Florida."

Entrants can submit a wide range of retail concepts – clothing boutiques, gourmet grocers, home decor, sporting goods or other specialty stores. The winner will receive free rent for the first 12 months of a five-year lease term in the prime retail space at 218 Clematis St., owned by WGCompass Realty Companies. In addition to free rent, the winner will receive a one-year advertising package; complimentary retail marketing services provided by the DDA and its public relations agency, the O'Donnell Agency; startup business consulting and loan of up to $25,000 from First Bank of the Palm Beaches; monthly retail mentoring services; one-year membership with the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches; and hotel accommodations.

The competition kicks off July 1 tied to Independent Retailer Month, an annual event established to recognize the importance of the locally owned small businesses within our communities. To enter the contest, retailers should submit a 30 to 60-second video to the competition's Facebook page explaining their business concept and why they want to be in Downtown West Palm Beach. All entries must be received by July 31. A committee will review the applicants and select a pool of semi-finalists, who will then submit a business plan. Three to five finalists will then be chosen to present their concepts and retail plan to the committee during a public panel in the space, giving the community a voice in choosing the winner, which will be announced in fall 2011.

The Great Shop Showdown is sponsored by the DDA, with partners WGCompass Realty Companies, First Bank of the Palm Beaches, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, O'Donnell Agency, SCORE and Hyatt Place – West Palm Beach/Downtown.

For more information or to submit a video entry to the Great Shop Showdown, visit facebook.com/thegreatshopshowdown. For more information on the DDA, visit westpalmbeachdda.com.

SOURCE West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority