New pop-up holiday shopping downtown

Just in time for the holiday season, nine local businesses will share space in three buildings along Ninth Street in downtown Wilmington under a new state-funded pop-up business incubator.

The tenants, culled from 20 applications, are: Men's image consulting group MIZ INK, artist collective Barrel of Makers, Cherné Altovise Jewelry, Tasty Couture dessert shop, Dolleys Sweet Cakes bakery, FLYOGI yoga instruction, Fit Body Personal Training, Something New Staffing, and London Rocks Kids, a children's boutique. Openings are staggered over the next week.

In its third year, the pop-up program doubled in size this year, offering a total of 14 entrepreneurs three months of commercial space rent-free.

Last year, all five participants signed long-term leases. Of the three 2012 participants, one business, First & Little Baby Boutique in association with Amber Shader Photography in Middletown, is still operating.

Along with the incubator project at 101, 105 and 113 W. Ninth St., six businesses will open in stand-alone locations this week from Middletown to Milton. These include two skin care companies, a tax preparation service, a bakery and a recycled decor shop.