Now that the Ellicott Commons apartments are filling up, Rocco Termini is turning his attention to the retail end of things. The commercial setup is different, as the storefronts line up along an extended walkway that passes between Ellicott and Oak. The open-air urban shopping center will be a bit different than many other shopping districts because many of the storefronts face each other. This will give the shopper the ability to visit all of them without worrying about wind or long walks. Picture the interior of the Ellicott courtyard as similar to the Market Arcade layout... but it's actually outside. There are a few storefront locations that even have frontage along Ellicott, and Rocco has said that location selections will be based on a first-come first-serve basis. Of course certain criteria will be looked at to make sure that the concepts are appropriate for the building and the neighborhood.
The concrete walkway has been poured and torpedo heaters are warming the air within - temporary dropped plastic walls and wood ceiling keep the heat in. The retail spaces will be divided into 1000 sq,' parcels that will rent for $900. Rocco's business incubator is a sweet opportunity for current business owners to expand on new ideas, and for start-ups to experiment with concepts. It's also an ideal opportunity for a number of businesses to play off each other. Let's hope that organizations like the Small Business Administration (SBA) are keeping their fledgling entrepreneurs in tune with these developments. If you and your dream are looking for a home, Rocco is looking for some go-getter tenants… so pitch him your plan here. It's power in numbers, and this is certainly a district in the city that is seeing enough growth to warrant a successful shopping district.