Bookmother wins Hatch Bloomington 2025; city highlights small‑business pitch competition

Bloomington officials honored the winner of Hatch Bloomington 2025 at the Sept. 29 City Council meeting. Bookmother, an independent bookstore and community space founded by Twyla Dang, was named the competition’s winner and accepted a ceremonial check onstage.

City staff described Hatch Bloomington as a retail pitch competition intended to revitalize commercial corridors and support small businesses. Staff said the second year of the program drew about 50 applications, a top 10 pitch event in June and a final top 3 cohort that pitched in September. The competition combined a seven‑member judge panel with a community voting component; staff reported approximately 20,000 unique votes across the 2024–2025 program cycle and said the program’s social and earned media reach totaled millions of impressions with an estimated publicity value reported by staff.

Mayor Tim Bussey praised the entrepreneurs and noted the competition’s broader community value beyond a single winner, saying many participants gained connections and improved pitches that could help them open or expand businesses in Bloomington. Winner Twyla Dang told the council she chose Bloomington as her hometown two decades earlier and described opening Bookmother as an effort to “build and add something to the legacy of the city.” She thanked Hatch staff and volunteers and said her family will be involved in the business.

City staff acknowledged pro‑bono assistance from local partners and public‑sector staff who supported Hatch Bloomington operations, marketing and events. Staff said they will continue to support the program as a tool for small‑business development and corridor revitalization.