Box Bazaar: Manor Road
Bringing Citywide Goals to Life
Over the last year, construction completed and tenants have prepared for a one-on-a-kind neighborhood installation on city-owned land in East Austin that will provide business incubator space for small, local businesses. These innovative spaces will be housed in retrofitted shipping containers and help to create a complete community while ensuring equitable economic development opportunities are available to Austin entrepreneurs. This pilot project is called the Box Bazaar and aims to put citywide goals on the ground during its yearlong demonstration period.
Construction activity on the site included the installation of a new waterline, the addition of an upgraded luxury restroom trailer, and the installation of an expansive deck with public seating areas. The Building Services Department and Public Works Department were instrumental in overseeing project delivery on site improvements. The city hosted a Community Work Day to invite the community to help bring together placemaking and amenities on the site, such as beautification features, landscaping and a children's play area.
Due to the community spread of Covid-19 and subsequent Stay Home Work Safe orders imposed by state and local government, opening has been postponed.
The Box Bazaar is a joint effort between many City of Austin departments including Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Development Services, Economic Development, Austin Transportation, Building Services, Office of Real Estate Services, and the Office of Innovation.
Thank you to these departments coming together to do their part in helping to bring this project to life!
Meet the Entrepreneurs
These businesses earned a space among the first cohort of tenants and will receive business coaching and educational resources by the Economic Development Department's Small Business Program throughout their time leasing at the Box Bazaar.
I came to create.
I came here to be of service. And I came here to work real hard.
Ɲàma Iṣé-Ọná
Emoji's Food Truck
We wanted to create a space where mothers and daughters could bond together.
NomE NosRac Fashion Boutique
Project background: In late 2018, a selection committee made up of City staff and East Austin community leaders sifted through applications and later listened to business pitches from local entrepreneurs all vying for a chance to lease a space at the Box Bazaar. Though the panel heard many strong ideas, six entrepreneurs rose to the top to secure their spot in the Box Bazaar’s first cohort. These businesses demonstrated a strong business model and a connection and commitment to the community in East Austin. Ora Houston, former District 1 City Councilmember and another member of the Box Bazaar selection panel, echoed the sentiment and said she felt energized by the presentations. “The list is diverse and inclusive,” she added when reviewing the names of the top six finalists. Other panelists included Veronica Briseño – former Director of the City of Austin Small and Minority Business Resource Center, Bamidele Demerson – former Manager of the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center, and Pinaki Ghosh – former East MLK Combined Neighborhood Contact Team Chair.
"It's exciting to see people in the community chartering their own path with their passionate and needed business ventures. I hope the incubator space will provide a stepping stone and exposure to experienced and emerging business owners.”
-Nefertitti Jackmon, Executive Direction of Six Square and member of the Box Bazaar selection panel.