Take your business to the next level with Citizens bank of edmond’s retail incubator
Follow @citizensedmond and @isaokla on Instagram for updates
APPLICATIONS FOR FALL/HOLIDAY 2026 ARE NOW OPEN!
Step into your own storefront and see your brand come to life!
Have you been dreaming about opening a shop? Testing a concept in a real space? Taking your online store from screen to street? This is your moment.
Citizens Bank of Edmond and the Independent Shopkeepers Association have partnered to bring you RiSE, a retail incubator designed to help emerging shopkeepers make the leap into brick-and-mortar.
One selected entrepreneur will have the opportunity to open a pop-up storefront in the heart of downtown Edmond for just $50 per month. That fee includes utilities, Wi-Fi and a dedicated desk at Vault 405, Citizens Bank of Edmond’s neighboring co-working space, giving you a built-in hub to plan, create and grow.
For 90 days, you’ll join downtown Edmond’s thriving community of local retailers, giving you the chance to test your concept, build visibility, connect with customers and experience what it’s like to operate your own storefront.
Whether you’re a new local concept ready to launch or a growing brand ready to explore your first physical space, RiSE is your chance to open your doors and make your mark.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The selected business will set up shop for 90 days (Oct-Dec) in a retail space inside the Citizens Bank of Edmond building on Broadway Avenue in downtown Edmond.
The space is ready for you to bring in your merchandise, set up and open your doors. The $50 monthly program fee includes electricity and Wi-Fi, as well as a dedicated desk at Vault 405, Citizens Bank of Edmond’s neighboring co-working space.
A selection jury will review all complete applications and evaluate applicants based on factors including business experience, product selection, available inventory and merchandising plan. Finalists will be invited to meet virtually with the jury for an interview before a winner is selected.
TIMELINE:
Sept. 14: Application deadline
Sept. 23-25: Finalist interviews and winner selection
Oct. 1: Soft Opening
Oct. 1 - Jan. 1: Program Duration
Eligibility and Requirements:
RiSE is open to Oklahoma-owned businesses that are ready to explore or expand into brick-and-mortar retail.
Eligible applicants include:
Online shops and makers ready to open their first physical storefront
Existing retailers interested in testing a new location or concept
Businesses and products not eligible for RiSE include:
Dispensaries
Liquor stores
Food and beverage businesses
Full-service restaurants
Political or election-related merchandise or content
Explosive materials, including fireworks
Adult entertainment products
Products that create strong or lingering odors in the space, including burning candles or incense
The selected business will be required to sign a vendor agreement and comply with all applicable City, County and State business requirements, including obtaining appropriate insurance coverage and licensing before move-in.
WHAT THE WINNER RECEIVES
A downtown Edmond retail space for 90 days for just $50 per month, including electricity and Wi-Fi
A dedicated desk at Vault 405
A one-year membership to the Independent Shopkeepers Association
The opportunity to test your concept and operate alongside downtown Edmond’s established retail community
Resources and assistance to grow your business to the next level
WHAT THE WINNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
The selected business will be responsible for:
Providing signage, staffing, merchandise and interior merchandising
Maintaining the agreed-upon hours of operation
Following design specifications established with Citizens Bank of Edmond
Keeping the storefront clean, organized and welcoming
Maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere
Following all Citizens Bank of Edmond building and safety protocols
No smoking within 20 feet of the entryway
No alcohol consumption in the space
No covering or obstructing fire alarms or other safety equipment
No burning candles, incense or other products that produce smoke or strong odors
What do I need to know before applying?
The RiSE application includes 16 questions. Some are quick and easy, while others ask you to tell us more about your business, your experience and what you would do with the space.
We recommend reading through what you’ll need before you begin so you can put together a thoughtful application.
Here’s what we’ll ask about:
Your basic information: Name, contact information, website and social media accounts.
Your business and your story: When did you launch? Why did you start your business? What is your mission? Where do you hope to take it? Give us enough detail to really get to know you and your brand.
Your retail experience: Tell us about markets, pop-ups or events you’ve participated in, your online sales experience and any previous or current brick-and-mortar locations you’ve operated.
Your products: What do you sell, and what makes your product mix unique?
Your average price point: Give us a sense of what customers typically spend on your products.
Your inventory: Approximately how much merchandise, in dollars, would you plan to bring into the pop-up?
Your vision for the space: How would you merchandise the storefront and bring your brand to life?
Your staffing plan: Who will work in the shop and how will you make sure the storefront is consistently staffed during agreed-upon hours?
Why RiSE: Tell us why your business is a great fit for this opportunity and what you hope to learn or accomplish during your 90 days in downtown Edmond.
Ready to take your business from concept to storefront? Apply for RiSE and show us what you’d bring to downtown Edmond.
Follow @CITIZENSEDMOND and @isaokla on Instagram for updates
About Citizens Bank of Edmond and the Independent Shopkeepers Association:
Citizens Bank of Edmond is an award-winning community bank proudly operating at the same downtown Edmond location where it was founded in April 1901. Citizens Bank of Edmond is a nationally-recognized leader in community engagement, known for its pioneering techniques to spur community engagement and economic activity, from originating Cash Mobs to support local retail businesses; and launching Heard on Hurd, a family-friendly festival with a $30 million local economic impact; to establishing Vault 405, Edmond’s first co-working space.
The Independent Shopkeepers Association (ISA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization launched in January 2020 with the mission to support, educate and celebrate the growth of local retail in Oklahoma. With 100 members across the state, ISA works closely with independent retail to advocate for their industry while also providing resources to ensure they can thrive.