The Open Market 

For years, Louise Morrise had dreamed of operating a mini-mall or farmers market type store in Fairbanks that had a better fit for small seasonal vendors than the standard mall or commercial space currently available. She envisioned a small building with low utilities costs, adequate parking, and enough space to rent affordably by the day, the week or the month; and a location where the drive-by traffic could potentially provide the necessary customers to make it viable for her vendors and hopefully profitable for her as well.

So Louise researched the concept, investigated the cost of a few locations and even obtained some positive feedback from a number of potential vendors and customers, but still wasn’t quite sure what steps to take next. That’s when she turned to the Great North office of the Alaska SBDC hosted by UAF and located downtown at the Tanana Valley Campus.

Business Advisor Heather Heineken provided free and confidential counseling assistance with discussion on locations, financial analysis, capital requirements, insurance and business structure. After their first meeting, Louise was more determined than ever to succeed in her business startup with a new plan of action. “Heather was a great help!” says Louise, who saw her dream finally come true in May 2008 with the startup of the Open Market.

Louise has already helped over 20 vendors to obtain the space necessary to sell their products and services, and herself operates a small convenience-type snack store on location at the Open Market.