Vendor Incubator Program
The Vendor Incubator Program gives Cape Cod's small businesses an affordable, low-risk way to test retail and grow their customer base. Located inside the Love Local Shop in downtown Hyannis, the program provides dedicated retail space where entrepreneurs can showcase their products, connect with customers, and build their brand without the overwhelming costs and commitments of a traditional storefront.
How It Works
Participants rent their own dedicated space on a quarterly basis, with complete creative control over design, merchandising, and customer experience. Whether you're transitioning from online-only sales, testing a new product line, or taking your first step into brick-and-mortar retail, the Vendor Incubator offers:
Affordable Access - Low-cost rent that fits small business budgets
Prime Location - High foot traffic in downtown Hyannis inside the Love Local Shop
Flexibility - Design your space your way with quarterly commitment periods
Built-in Support - Access to Love Live Local's network, marketing resources, and community of local business owners
Real Customer Feedback - Direct interaction with Cape Cod shoppers who actively support local
More Than Just Space
The Vendor Incubator isn't just about giving businesses a place to sell. It's about providing the resources and support small businesses need to scale successfully. Participants benefit from:
- Business mentorship and guidance from the Love Live Local team
- Promotion through Love Live Local's marketing channels and events
- Networking opportunities with other local entrepreneurs
- Hands-on retail experience without long-term lease commitments
- A testing ground to validate products and pricing before scaling up
Building Cape Cod's Economic Future
Every business that goes through the Vendor Incubator contributes to Cape Cod's thriving local economy. Graduates of the program often move into their own storefronts, expand online, or grow into wholesale partnerships, creating jobs, strengthening our community, and keeping Cape Cod's entrepreneurial spirit alive.
For sponsors and supporters, the Vendor Incubator Program represents a direct investment in Cape Cod's economic development. Your support helps local entrepreneurs overcome the biggest barrier to retail success: affordable access to commercial space. When small businesses succeed, our entire community benefits.
The Love Local Pop-Up gave me my first opportunity to merchandise my products in a semi-permanent retail space—something beyond a 10x10 tent. It allowed me to truly explore retail design, experiment with new products, and test different display techniques to see what resonated with customers.Working with Jen and Tiffany was an incredible experience—they brought so much support, enthusiasm, and positive energy to the space. Michele’s beautiful block print clothing and homewares were the perfect complement to my products, and we had so much fun sharing the shop with one another, as well as with our families, friends, and customers.I learned so much from the experience, and it gave my customers the opportunity to see my products in an entirely new context.
My experience creating a pop-up at Love Live Local Headquarters was nothing short of amazing. It was such a joy curating the space alongside Atlantic Soap Company and our brands truly complement each other. Beyond the storefront, the year-round support from Love Live Local made the partnership deeply impactful for my business.
