The Shoppes on Grandon Plaza: Launching Local Entrepreneurs 🚀

Season 2, Episode 135

Step inside the story of The Shops at Grandon Plaza with hosts Janna Groharing, Executive Director of Sterling Main Street, and Sarah Coyle, founder of Amber and Smoke Botanical Skincare.

In this episode of Along the Rock, Janna and Sarah share how this innovative retail incubator project is helping local entrepreneurs turn their dreams into brick and mortar realities. Learn how Sterling Main Street transformed vacant downtown space into six thriving micro storefronts, each home to a creative, hardworking small business.

💬 Hear about:
• How Sterling Main Street secured funding through a T-Mobile Hometown Grant
• The success stories of six local makers and their handcrafted products
• The business education and community support behind each shop
• Exciting upcoming events like Pink Friday, Small Business Saturday, and more

Whether you’re a shopper who loves to buy local or a maker dreaming of opening your own store, this episode will inspire you to support small businesses in downtown Sterling.

📍 Visit The Shops at Grandon Plaza:
310 2nd Avenue, Sterling, Illinois
(Located behind the Grandon Civic Center bandshell)

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more local stories from Rock Falls and beyond.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online

🎤 Timestamps & Highlights:

0:39 - What are the Shoppes at Grandon Plaza?
4:14 - The Benefits of Small Business Incubators
6:33 - The Importance of Small Scale Manufacturing
10:14 - The Future of the Shoppes on Grandon Plaza!
13:42 - Social Media
15:05 - Are You Interested in being a Tennent?
19:01 - Where are the Shoppes Located?

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