Female founders are taking over the newest district at Raleigh’s North Hills.
Eight “micro-lease” spaces were up for grabs at Makers Alley in the new North Hills Innovation District off St. Albans Drive. Six of the businesses signed so far each have a woman as an owner or co-founder. And that doesn't include two other spaces along the stretch that will host Dose Yoga + Smoothie Bar and fitness startup HomeTurf, both of which also have female founders.
“I think there’s a lot of up-and-coming businesses, a lot of pop-ups currently that fall under these categories,” Mary Ehrenberger, retail activation specialist at Kane Realty Corp. told Triangle Business Journal. Kane Realty is behind the Innovation District and the transformation of the North Hills Main District.
The founders they’ve created a community that will only get stronger when the micro-retailers open in April.
For many, storefronts at North Hills represent major milestones. Tonya Terry of the Teal HouZ at BalloonZ is a self-described local girl, a Sanderson High School graduate who wanted a piece of the growing retail community in North Hills.
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Julie Ferrer, a former SoulCycle instructor, knows the area and knew it was where she wanted to be when she decided to extend her personal brand into an “actual physical space.”
The fact that the micro-leases most of the women have signed come with flexible terms is a huge boost for a new business, said Julie Lin, co-founder of house plant shop Green Rabbit. “I think micro-retail is just a lot more approachable for a new business starting out, not necessarily having to lock in for 10 years,” Lin said.
Kyla Smith of Ky’s Kandles has primarily sold candles at pop-ups at local markets. She constantly gets inquires about hosting workshops. Now, she can now answer the call on her own terms – in her own storefront.
The women say there have been hiccups, but for the most part, they’re pushing through. Lin said as she was planning for the new store, the “insane” quotes she was getting were significantly higher than the ones her husband was clocking.
“It’s just kind of wild to me, the discrepancy,” she said.
But the women say that, for the most part, they have support. Now all they need is customers as their storefronts open.
