Made on Mott Residency

Welcome to Chinatown is launching a dedicated space for entrepreneurs who have never had a brick-and-mortar presence, but are ready for one.

Selected small businesses will get the chance to test their vision and take a leap forward with a three-month residency at WtC’s storefront incubator on Chinatown’s Mott Street. The Storefront Incubator hands a rising entrepreneur a fully built-out storefront for three months, at a fraction of market rent. It’s a chance to bring your business to life in a real space, in front of 5,000 people a day and see what’s possible before you ever sign a lease.

If selected, you move into a fully built-out, ready-to-go storefront. No construction, no build-out costs, and no waiting. You pay a low monthly base of $700 per month, utilities and insurance, plus a small single digit share of your sales. You will never pay more than the actual cost of rent for the space. By moving in, you’re also plugged into a network: mentorship and capital through WtC’s advisors, connections to landlords for your next lease, and a community of fellow founders.

Application timeline:

• Phase 1: Interest Form (opens July 8 and closes August 30, 2026) Share a short intro through a five-minute form, so Welcome to Chinatown can get to know you and your business.
• Phase 2: Full Application (August 31–September 20, 2026) Strong-fit applicants are invited to go deeper — your business, your numbers, and how you’d bring the storefront to life.
• Phase 3: Interviews and Public Showcase (October 5–October 30, 2026) Finalists meet the WtC team and pitch live. The community weighs in through a public vote, and WtC checks references.

Notifications will be sent by November 9, 2026. Every applicant hears back, whether or not they move forward.

Requirements

Made on Mott is designed for founders ready for a storefront to be their next move. You’ve built real traction online, through wholesale, or at pop-ups and markets, and a physical space is the one thing standing between you and your next stage. If you can already picture exactly what you’d do with a storefront, this is for you.

This program is open to all product and retail businesses, including packaged food and beverage brands — as long as items are shelf stable and made off-site (the space isn’t a commercial kitchen).

Application Instructions

Visit this page for more information and to apply.