HIP | Application Preview
The grant application from HIP seeks funding to cover essential expenses for preparing a new health food store in Pocahontas, AR. This includes costs for structural improvements like installing a tin ceiling, replacing drywall, sealing a wall, and completing the concrete floor. Other necessary purchases include a commercial-grade juicer, furniture for displaying produce, and health food items, along with payroll for 2-3 employees.
The business plan outlines a strategy to grow the store's presence through weekly local newspaper advertising, promoting the availability of organic produce and health foods. Seasonal offerings will attract customers, ensuring a variety of products year-round, such as fresh produce in spring and dried goods in winter. An on-site juice bar and offerings of locally made Paleo desserts will also enhance the appeal.
HIP argues for funding approval by highlighting the lack of a Farmer's Market in Pocahontas, leaving a gap for local farmers and vendors. With the nearest market located 25 miles away, HIP hopes to provide a needed marketplace for locally sourced products, promoting healthier food options unavailable in existing stores like Walmart.
In terms of competition, HIP stands out as the only dedicated health food store in the area, with larger stores like Harps and Walmart not prioritizing local sourcing or organic options. As a small, women-owned, and veteran-owned business, HIP emphasizes its commitment to community support and providing quality, local food products.
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: 88-3468168
Location: Pocahontas, AR, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
-
Funding Usage
Currently the expenses to prepare the store are: place a tin design ceiling; replace drywall, seal the north interior concert wall, so water does not seep into the building; install a farmer's sink; purchase a commercial grade juicer; and finish the concert floor. Additionally, countertop and bend holders for the produce must be made. There is expense in supplying the store with the produce, and health food items to be sold. There will be the expense of payroll for 2-3 employees to work within the store.
-
Business Plan
I plan to grow the business with weekly advertisement in our local newspaper. I plan to advertise locally and socially so that the local community know that there is a market where they can sell, and they can buy organic produce and health food items. During the season items will change to appeal to the customers such as during Spring many fresh fruits and vegetable will be sold. During the Winter months we will sell such items and nuts, grains, and dried fruits, and dehydrated vegetables. We will have a juice bar to provide the locals with fresh healthy juice. We will carry Paleo non-sugar desserts made by the local ladies. Investors should invest in HIP, fruit, vegetable health food market because the community of Pocahontas no longer has a Farmer's Market. The closest Farmer's Market is in Dalton, 25 miles away. The owner to that venue in Dalton, has expressed they are willing to be a vendor to HIP with berries, onion, and tomatoes. Many local people who have small farms and gardens, grow honey, make healthy desserts, and herbs have expressed a desire to have a health food store, a place they can sell their products to locally, as well a purchase. We have one grocery store, and one Walmart here in Pocahontas, AR and these stores do not purchase from the local vendors. People in the community deserve to eat healthy and have quality foods available to them which they are not able to buy in "dollar type stores."
-
Self Identified Competition
There is no health food store in Pocahontas AR. The first competitors would be Harps grocery store; however, they do not purchase from local vendors, which HIP will strictly purchase from local growers. The other competitor is Walmart produce department, which does not always offer organic, and diverse produce. HIP is a small business, women-owned, and veteran owned. The uniqueness of HIP is that everything sold in the store will be provided by the local community.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
