Thirteen small businesses are setting up shop in a vacant downtown Evanston storefront, backed by $100,000 in city funds.

Space to Place, a retail incubator and pop-up program at 1712 Sherman Ave. in Bookman's Alley, holds its public opening weekend Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. The market soft-opened Thursday, Oct. 1, in the space previously occupied by Bookends & Beginnings.

The program gives local entrepreneurs who lack a physical storefront a place to sell their goods through Dec. 31, according to the Evanston Roundtable. Each vendor gets about 100 square feet inside the 3,000-square-foot shared marketplace. After the opening weekend, the market will operate Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The city is funding the program with $100,000 from its Business District Improvement funds, according to Evanston Now. That covers rent, utilities and build-out costs. Instead of paying fixed rent, participating businesses pay a $175 monthly fee plus 10% of gross monthly sales.

The city also subsidized about $13,500 in space rental fees, according to retail activation strategist Claire Seizovic, who created the program in partnership with the city. Some qualifying businesses are receiving additional help through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Seizovic proposed the concept in January. The city's Economic Development Committee approved it for City Council consideration. A spring survey gathered input from more than 100 Evanston business owners, according to a city press release.

"The whole idea is to begin the process of activating the vacant storefronts in Evanston, starting with downtown," Seizovic told the Evanston Roundtable.

Downtown Evanston's commercial vacancy rate has hovered around 6% since March, according to city officials cited by the Daily Northwestern.

The 13 businesses were selected from 32 eligible applicants. An internal committee of city employees and business experts chose the cohort based on financial preparedness, business readiness and interest in expanding to a physical location.

The selection prioritized minority-, women-, LGBTQ- and veteran-owned businesses. A program survey found most applicants earn less than $50,000 in annual revenue.

The program also includes a curriculum covering business licenses, branding, marketing and lease negotiation. Each business must host or co-host one event per month.

Opening weekend features guest vendors from the independent business collective ENSEMBLE, including Dandelion Coffee Bar, Hawthorne Lane Jewelry, Loner Vintage and Rawson. The event includes Storytime Dads, live music by Local Note, coffee and food from Dandelion Coffee Bar and drinks from Five & Dime. Downtown Evanston is a sponsor.

After Dec. 31, Seizovic said she hopes to continue the multi-business model and place stand-alone businesses in other vacant retail spaces around Evanston.