Word on the Street: 10 semifinalists announced for the Create Here Business Plan Competition

A gym, a raw foods cafe and a sneaker boutique: One of these may be coming soon to downtown Fresno.

The Downtown Fresno Foundation announced 10 finalists for its Create Here Business Plan Competition.

That includes Fitness 365, a 24-hour urban fitness center; Raw Fresno, which currently operates an organic food truck around town and Sample Sneaker Boutique, a retail hub where people can buy (and sell) collectible sneakers.

Launched in July, the Create Here Business Plan Competition looks to build new business in Fresno’s urban core by offering potential business owners a start-up how-to (and a prize package that includes a year’s free rent, $10,000 in cash, marketing and branding services and more). The competitors participate in a series of workshops, trainings and events to help them prepare a business plan, hone their entrepreneurial skills and network with the community.

Each of the semifinalists will now be paired with a mentor from Central Valley SCORE and will spend the next weeks finalizing their business plans before five finalists are chosen Sept. 28.

The foundation expects a winner to be announced by mid-October with the business’ grand opening happening as early as January.

“We were blown away by the quality of the amazing business plans that were submitted and we can’t wait to see which of these fresh and creative businesses end up adding to the mix here in downtown Fresno,” says the foundation’s executive director, Gretchen Moore.

The other semifinalists are:

House of Pendragon: The much hyped local craft brewery (on North Willow avenue in Clovis) is looking to build an additional tasting room in Fresno.

Char: The coffeeshop/cafe is looking to expand into Fresno. Char — short for Char-Cu-Te-Rie — is currently open on Main Street in Visalia.

Eye Candy: The apparel and accessory seller already has presence on the art-shop website Society 6. The downtown storefront would serve as its base of operations.

Made for Them: The nonprofit fashion retailer used proceeds to fight human trafficking and promote social justice and human rights. The organization is looking to open a design headquarters and retail location in downtown Fresno.

Papa Steve and Nienna: The retailer will offer custom home furnishings and accessories, much of it made in-store.

Root: Imagined as “a Downtown Fresno general Store,” Root will stock clothing, home goods, skincare and fragrance, books and “other small treasures made by local artisans and other small US based companies.”

Tree of Life Café: A farm-to-table comfort food restaurant serving and showcasing Fresno Country ag products.

You can follow all the competitors and learn more about the competition at the foundation’s website, www.downtownfresno.org/foundation.

This story was originally published September 6, 2015 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Word on the Street: 10 semifinalists announced for the Create Here Business Plan Competition."