Ed Strepp, a member of Mundelein’s Economic Development Commission, urged the Village Board on Sept. 8 to pursue a seasonal “pop‑up” shop incubator — small, rentable retail units that operate as a marketplace and business incubator during higher‑traffic months. Strepp said the model has helped nearby towns grow downtown retail and recommended forming a working group to study feasibility, design and fundraising.

Strepp described how the model operates in other communities: 12‑by‑12 retail shelters open Friday through Sunday from May through December; entrepreneurs rent a space for the season and often use the opportunity to test a brick‑and‑mortar concept. He said Batavia’s program charged about $3,000 per season and that, over its first five years, 28 participating shops moved into permanent downtown storefronts. McHenry’s program opened more recently — Strepp said seven shops had graduated to brick‑and‑mortar in its first two years and that McHenry’s booths generated roughly $625,000 in revenue last year.

Strepp urged the board to appoint an 8–10‑person working group to produce designs, fundraising plans and operating policies. He estimated a rough development cost between $1 million and $1.5 million for a 10‑unit site and suggested a modest startup budget (he suggested $10,000) to pay for refined designs, printed materials and possible consultant services to recruit vendors. Strepp said most peer programs relied heavily on donations and volunteer labor; Batavia used a small grant (about $100,000) plus donations, while McHenry was funded primarily by donations.

Trustees and staff asked practical questions about infrastructure and long‑term outcomes. Strepp said the sheds typically have electricity but not running water; in park locations the park district supplies restrooms, while non‑park sites commonly rely on porta‑potties or agreements with nearby businesses. Trustees also raised concerns about whether Mundelein has available permanent retail space for incubator graduates to move into — a risk Strepp acknowledged and said the working group should study.

After discussion, trustees directed staff to form a working group and to return at a future meeting with parameters and a budget request (village staff noted budget season is approaching, so the request could be considered during budgeting). Strepp said the group would solicit input from local partners including community groups and business organizations if the board approves the effort.

Strepp left the board with specific operational suggestions he observed in other towns: cohort‑based training for vendors (marketing, finance, web presence), a named program director to run recruitment and operations, use of local construction programs for buildout and fundraising outreach to local philanthropy and regional tourism partners.