.jpg)
Discover The SoHo Shops in South Holland, IL
Are you a maker, artisan, or small business owner? The SoHo Shops (16114 South Park Ave, South Holland, IL 60473) offers a unique opportunity to expand your audience and test out your products in a supportive environment.
Located in South Holland, Illinois, the Shops is an 8-month retail incubator program designed to help entrepreneurs gain hands-on experience running a mini 12’x14’ storefront while connecting with customers, building their brand, and engaging the local community. Each year, 10 talented vendors will operate the Shops every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May to December. Together, they will collaborate on events, attend tailored business classes, and discover if a more permanent commercial space is the next step on their business journeys. Our goal is for the vendors to graduate out of the Shops equipped with the resources needed to succeed!
Whether you create handmade accessories, home décor, seasonal gifts, or specialty products, this is your chance to grow your business in a dynamic, affordable retail setting. Keep reading below to learn more and apply!
Become a Vendor
Why Be a Vendor?
More than just a place to sell your products, this opportunity connects you with customers, fellow entrepreneurs, and resources to help your business grow. Vendors gain hands-on experience, valuable exposure, and the chance to test ideas in a supportive community environment.
As a vendor, you will:
-
Join a cohort of entrepreneurs, making connections and expanding your network.
-
Learn business skills through hands-on workshops and monthly training sessions.
-
Test new products and ideas in a mini storefront before making a larger investment.
-
Be promoted via a dedicated website, social media, and at community events.
-
Meet customers face-to-face and gain direct feedback on your products and business.
-
Host family-friendly events and collaborate with other small businesses.
-
Access a team of professionals and business advisors for guidance, resources, etc.
-
Build your brand and customer base while becoming an active part of the community.
Where am I located?
Set in the heart of South Holland’s Town Center, your business gets the visibility and presence of a storefront without the cost and commitment of a traditional retail lease. Create a space that reflects your brand, connect with the surrounding community, and become part of a shared destination for local entrepreneurs and customers.
While at the SoHo Shops, you will:
-
Operate from your own mini (12’x14’) storefront with an affordable retail footprint.
-
Make the space your own with interior buildout and design freedom to reflect your brand.
-
Enjoy access to a shared courtyard for gathering, events, and community connection.
-
Access on-site bathrooms, mini storage area, and supplies to keep the space clean.
-
Become a Site Manager and take on a leadership role on a rotating basis.
-
Be surrounded by local businesses, community activity, and neighborhood traffic.
Tell us about yourself
If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please take a moment to click the button below and review the application questions. The application is an online form that asks you about your journey as an entrepreneur, your brand and vision, and your products to be sold at the Shops. The form cannot be saved as a draft, so it is important that you gather the needed information, including your business EIN and product images, prior to starting the application online.
Application
Tell us about your business
Along with the online form, you are required to submit a drafted business plan to apply as a vendor. Your application will not be considered complete unless you submit a business plan, as this document shows the reviewers that you are prepared for this program. It also highlights your target audience, product details, and marketing goals. If you do not currently have a business plan, click the button below and use the template to get started.
Business Plan
Get prepared
If selected as a vendor, you will be asked to sign a License Agreement to operate a 12’x14’ mini storefront. To ensure that you are prepared to fully participate in this incubator program, click the button below to review the drafted agreement, as well as vendor expectations. In addition, you will be asked to provide business insurance prior to opening your shop. These documents are NOT required at the time of applying. Required information will be reviewed at orientation.
License Agreement
Your dream storefront is calling.
Applications must be submitted online before
11:59 PM on January 4, 2027.
