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Selden Market is an innovative space for entrepreneurs to further develop both existing and early stage, street-level business ideas.

STOREFRONT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. Check back later this year for our next request for storefront proposals.


The market offers a low-risk environment with short-term leases, a supportive development program, and a community atmosphere that fosters learning and growth. We provide the space, mentorship, and dedicated resources; you provide the must-see qualities that will grow your idea into a thriving street-level business.

We have four types of spaces available:

  • 1

    Incubator Storefronts

    Available for new & emerging businesses who want to grow and learn more about running their business.

    Spaces range from $350 to $900 per month and are leased six months at a time.

    APPLY HERE

    Apply Now
  • 2

    Anchor/Mentor Storefronts

    Available for well established businesses who can share their time and expertise in exchange for a great location and competitive lease rate.

    Spaces range from $475 to $1,150 per month with one year or more lease terms and optional renewals.

    APPLY HERE

    Apply Now
  • 3

    Pop-Up Booths

    Ideal for testing out new products or services.

    Booths can be rented for $50 per day, $100 per week, or $300 per month.

    Apply Now
  • 4

    Community Kitchen

    Available for Selden Market tenants only. Limited shared kitchen resources for our food & beverage tenants.

    The kitchen can be reserved for $75 per day, $150 per week, or $350 per month.

What is Included with Your Lease

Included in storefront lease:

CONDITIONED, WARM SHELL SPACE IN AS-IS CONDITION INCLUDING:

  • Storefront with lockable, roll-up gate and shared common spaces including restrooms
  • All utilities, wifi, trash and recycling services
  • Wall outlets, track lighting and a junction box for tenant-installed lighting (vary by location)
  • Certain locations may contain utility/hand sinks
  • Floor finishes vary by space (generally concrete or wood)
  • Mount for tenant-provided blade sign
  • Regular marketing and PR through Selden Market and Downtown Norfolk Council channels
  • Regular market events and activation
  • Supportive small business community with free and discounted continued education
  • Established retail market in Downtown Norfolk with over 200k visitors per year
  • On-site security
  • Downtown Norfolk Council membership

Storefront tenants provide:

  • Interior space design & build-out based on approved design (4 week build-out timeline)
  • All necessary furniture, fixtures, and equipment
  • Blade signage based on approved design
  • Incubators only: active participation in business education (up to 6 hours per month) and detailed monthly financial statements
  • Mentors only: up to 5 hours of mentor time per month and simple sales statements
  • Participation in Selden Market program by withholding market hours, attending tenant meetings, following tenant communication, marketing your business and being a positive asset to the community

Included in community kitchen:

  • Basic equipment including convection oven, 3-compartment sink, hand sinks, freezer, refrigerators, prep tables, and other small appliances
  • Cold and dry storage
  • Waste Management (trash, recycling, grease trap disposal)
  • Utilities (water, electric)
  • Kitchen towel service and cleaning supplies

Included in pop-up rentals:

  • Kiosks: power, shelving, pegs, and benches for merchandise display
  • Non-kiosk space: Single – 6’x6′ (approx. 36sf) OR Double – 6’x12′ (approx. 72sf) of standard floor space
  • All utilities, wifi, trash and recycling services

Located in the Historic Selden Arcade

With entrances on both Main and Plume Street, the Selden Arcade has great foot traffic from residents, workers, and visitors. The arcade also boasts indoor connectors for both The Main Hotel and Slover Library. Additionally, Selden Market includes 4 anchor restaurants on Main and Plume and includes the Slover Library Maker Studio which has 3D printers, lasers, sewing machines and more.

The market is comprised of 11 retail spaces, 8 pop-up kiosk, multiple lounges and seating areas, and even a shared kitchen. Each space is configured a little differently, so check out the floor plan below for more details, then visit the market to see the spaces in person.

Selden Map

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies someone for either a mentor or incubator space?

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  • Mentors are established businesses with at least 3 years of experience running a retail storefront. They provide 1-5 hours of mentorship to other businesses each month.
  • Incubators are new and emerging, independent businesses with less than 3 years of experience. They must attend business education workshops and classes (approximately 2-6 hours per month) and submit detailed financial reports for review.
  • Business types may include retail, food/drink, service, experience, and any other B2C category — and especially hybrids of these. Strictly B2B businesses are not right for the market.

Why do the mentor spaces cost more than the incubator spaces (even if they’re the same size?)

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Incubator spaces are for new and emerging businesses only and are offered lower rent to help get their businesses off the ground. In exchange for a lower rent, incubator tenants are required to submit extensive financials regularly for review, meet with mentors and participate in the market’s education program.

Mentors have established businesses that already have a jump start on the incubators. They only submit basic financials each month and occasionally assist with mentoring of our incubator businesses.

Will a deposit be required for the spaces or booths and how much will that be?

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Storefront tenants must pay a refundable deposit equal to one month’s rent. Pop-up tenants must pay their fees in advance (except for event vendors who pay day of). There is no deposit for pop-up vendors. An additional $200 deposit is required for use of the community kitchen for all. Deposits are due at lease signing.

Can you renew your lease at the end of its term? If so, how many times can I renew?

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  • Mentors can renew for one or more years if in good standing and approved by the committee.
  • Incubators can request to renew every 6 months for a total of 36 months as an incubator tenant. Renewal acceptance is based on recommendation from mentors, completion of education program, and committee approval.
  • After an incubator has been at Selden for 36 months, they graduate the incubator program and can request to become a mentor tenant (limited availability) or we can help them move on to a storefront outside of Selden.

What types of educational opportunities will be offered?

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We partner with local organizations and institutions to offer free and discounted courses for Selden Market tenants with a focus on financial management, merchandising, marketing, customer service, and human resources. Incubator tenants will also be paired with mentor tenants who can help advise them in their regular operations. Additionally, we host workshops and guest speakers on a regular basis that are free to all our tenants and required by our incubator tenants.

What equipment and resources will the community kitchen have?

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The kitchen includes ovens, small appliances, cold storage, and prep tables. Please make clear in your application what sort of equipment you’ll need available to you, and what hours of the day you’d like to be able to use the kitchen.

Can I rent office, storage or studio space in the market?

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You must have a Selden Market shop to lease back of the house space. Market tenants may rent additional office, studio and storage space for an additional fee. Fees vary by space type, size, and condition. Please let us know which space(s) you are interested in.

Will parking be included in my lease?

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Parking is not included, however there are numerous parking garages within a few blocks of the Selden Arcade, as well as metered parking (free nights and weekends). The City also offers the Top Deck program to downtown small businesses, which offers parking spots in city garages for $60/spot per month. More details can be found here.