Public Asked to Help Select Downtown’s Next Dreamer

Calling All Dreamers competition announces six finalists competing for business start-up package

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Jordyn Anderson

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (May 18, 2017) – Downtown Sacramento Foundation (DSF) today announced six finalists in the fifth annual Calling All Dreamers business competition. The public is asked to join the selection committee to choose the dreamer they want to see open a storefront in downtown Sacramento by voting online at www.CallingAllDreamers.org by 5 p.m. PST on Monday, June 26, 2017.

“We have a remarkable field of competition this year,” said Valerie Mamone, Business Development Senior Manager of Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Each finalist has so much potential, choosing the winner won’t be easy.”

The six aspiring business owners vying to win a business start-up package valued at more than $100,000 are: Churro Project, Milk House Shakes, Miscellaneous, Sacramento Whiskey Company, The Kitchen Table and Vity.

Churro Project

Peter and Chris Syravong – two brothers born and raised in Sacramento – are vying to add to a tasty new treat to downtown Sacramento’s dessert scene. The shop will offer classic treats – churros and ice cream – with a modern twist and customized flavors. Intent on becoming the dessert destination, Churro Project will offer classic treats with a modern twist.

Milk House Shakes

Every shake at Milk House Shakes will be named after US Presidents. With shakes like the “George Washington,” featuring vanilla ice cream with apple pie filling, pie crust crumbs and topped with a cherry, Milk House Shakes will be a combination of Kelly Boyles’s love of US History and her fondness for milkshakes.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous is a new concept for a retail store. William and Gabriela Mendoza want to offer space, shelving and furniture to business owners with products to sell without the overhead of owning a store. Focused on growing its vendors, Miscellaneous will give them the ability to network, attend workshops, and learn about subjects of interest to grow their business.

Sacramento Whisky Company

Sacramento Whiskey Co. will be Sacramento’s first distillery since prohibition. Joe Ledbetter aims to establish a “must see” destination for visitors of downtown Sacramento while being the region’s leader in the production of premium distilled whiskeys. Superior quality will be the mantra, from the selection of grains to other raw materials and more.

The Kitchen Table

Susan O’Brien’s dream to create a space where the community can gather to celebrate their love of food will come to life with The Kitchen Table, a boutique featuring specially curated kitchen items. The shop will showcase local Sacramento products, making it perfect for locals looking for a hostess gift or visitors who want to bring home something quintessentially Sacramento.

Vity

Jade Epps wants Vity to empower every customer when it comes to their skin care process. Vity will specialize in making customized skin care products for every individual, at an affordable price. Customers will have the opportunity to participate in a “build your own” type of experience, with the result being their own specialized skin care line.

The Shark Tank-style competition takes qualified applicants through a business development program that calls for extensive business planning, market research, proof of financial sustainability, and more. Over the next month, contestants will work with SCORE counselors to refine their business plans in preparation for their final pitch in late June. The winner will be announced in July with the intent to open their business by early 2018.

Continued Mamone, “While only one winner will receive the start-up package, we anticipate and hope that we can help multiple finalists launch their business dreams downtown as a result of the Calling All Dreamers competition.”

Since 2013, the competition has helped 16 new businesses open, created 25 full-time and 61 part-time jobs and leased more than 20,000 square feet of commercial space. Learn more about the economic impact of Calling All Dreamers, meet and vote for the 2017 finalists and the prize package at www.CallingAllDreamers.org.

The 2017 Calling All Dreamers competition is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors who continue to be champions for the economic growth of the downtown core and Sacramento region: City of Sacramento, SMUD, Wells Fargo, Downtown Sacramento Partnership, Blanket Marketing Group, Consolidated Communications, Golden Pacific Bank, LJ2 Interiors, LP Insurance Services Inc., Marquee Media, MeringCarson, SMP Law Corp., Sutter Builders and more.

Join the conversation on social media using #CallingAllDreamers and #DowntownSac.