FLORENCE, SC -- Free rent isn’t free that often, but for two new businesses in downtown Florence it will be free starting at the end of this month.

On Monday, Meanwhile Downtown announced the winners of the same named contest to award two entrepreneurs an opportunity to set up shop on West Evans Street for free.

The two businesses called Railroad Junction and Hapi Balance were chosen from seven other applicants as the most promising prospects for a new viable downtown business.

"The winners are already successful by winning the contest, but also because they will bring some things to downtown that Florence hasn’t seen before," Meanwhile Downtown project manager Beth Martin said.

As winners of Meanwhile Downtown, each business owner will occupy one of two downtown business properties, at 157 and 163 W. Evans St., located near the breezeway free of charge starting May 27 and ending Aug. 27.

After Aug. 27, it is up to the business owner to work with the building owner to sign a lease and continue in that location.

Martin describes the two businesses as "pop-up shops." The effort is a quick way to try out a business idea, and Martin feels confident they’ll be able to pull it off.

Hapi Balance, the brainchild of owner Kara Adams and business partner Becky Phipps, is primarily a yoga studio but also offers massage, hula hoop, Zumba and karate, as well as a nonprofit program using the classes to help children fighting obesity.

When Adams found out her business idea won, she said, she was excited because for 12 years now she has wanted to do something like this.

"I want it to be a place where people can find that Hapi Balance in their lives," Adams said. "Hopefully Florence is ready. If I don’t take this chance I’ll never know."

Artists Stephen McRea and Betsy Padgett’s winning idea for a business is called Railroad Junction.

McCrea said the business description they submitted to Meanwhile Downtown exemplified an art gallery, shop and hangout simultaneously. The store will have artwork, a handmade clothing line and a small library of modern culture-related books and will offer classes and discussions that will bridge together cultures.  Different artists will be displayed and the whole store will be geared to be like an open studio.

"We want this space to be a comfortable place to come and hang out and get more acquainted with the space," McCrea said.

He said this is his chance for him to come with his ideas about art and further the culture in Florence.

"We’re very very excited, and I can’t wait to see what we can do for the community," McCrea said.

Martin said the whole idea for the contest is to increase traffic and awareness of the potential for businesses downtown.

Florence Downtown Development Corp. Executive Director Phillip Lookadoo agreed, saying that is the main goal of the contest. The corporation assisted, with other sponsors First Reliance Bank and FMU’s Center for Entrepreneurship, in paying all the utilities and costs associated with the buildings, which will house the businesses.

Another partner in the initiative is the Francis Marion University Center for Entrepreneurship. Its role is to provide guidance and support for the businesses.

"A first-time business can be very scary for a lot of people, and we’re just there to offer guidance and transition to business ownership to be successful for them and downtown," said Brianna Zhang, manager of the Kelley Small Business Institute within the FMU Center for Entrepreneurship. "I really see this as being a successful three months for both businesses and a perfect opportunity for FMU to participate in downtown."

The grand opening for both businesses is scheduled for May 27 to coincide with Florence After Five event.

Courtesy of: SC Now.com