What proportion of Goal 1 overall is complete at this point?
100%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that impacted goal 1 in the last month?
The CSC Team has identified Workforce Resources through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership that may offer Paid Work Experience funding for staff workers to work in the store when it opens. More details on this will be available in the December Report filed in January 2025.
What proportion of Goal 2 overall is complete at this point?
80%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that you impacted goal 2 in the last month?
The CSC Team has devised a Store Layout based on a list of over 50 Prospective Vendors that have been contacted in person at various events in and around Chicago. These vendors represent more than enough makers and products to supply inventory for the opening. The challenge now is to actively recruit these Prospective Vendors. A list of Branding and Design related printed materials, signage, displays and graphics for the retail store has been formulated and pricing is being gathered so that these items can be ordered and ready for the store before it opens.
What proportion of Goal 3 overall is complete at this point?
50%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that you impacted goal 3 in the last month?
CSC Team has reached out to a local consultant who provided a price range for preparing a Financial Model that could be used in the Business Plan. However, the CSC Team decided not to pursue this quote and instead obtain a lower cost Financial Model from an online source. The source has been identified and an interim solution exists since the source of the Financial Model makes available a free Financial Model Template on their website which the CSC Team will be using for now. The Museum Store Association’s Annual Report will be used to provide realistic research on actual retail museum store financials and these will go into the Financial Model Template. Once the template is populated with reliable data the CSC Team will then evaluate if we want to engage a review by an account or industry source prior to finalizing the Financial Model and Business Plan documents which are currently in a draft phase of completion. A CSC Team member has also prepared a series of detailed notes and outlines of a Standard Operational Procedure for the CSC Retail Store and that is undergoing review and commentary by the CSC Team.
Did you access Technical Assistance for your CWB project last month?
No
Which TA provider(s) did you work with within the Phase I CWEB grantees?
Which TA providers did you work with OUTSIDE of the Phase I CWEB grantees?
Did someone from your organization attend the Working Group this month?
Yes
How would you rate the usefulness of the working group to your project last month? (on a scale of 1-5)
Somewhat useful
How would you rate the usefulness of the Working Group for building community?
Somewhat useful
What have been the two most valuable contributions of the Working Group this month?
Please share any comments about the working group meetings.
How many TOTAL housing units did you preserve or create last month? (it is okay if the answer is zero)
0
How many TOTAL CWB businesses did you develop last month? (it is okay if the answer is zero)
0
Number of stakeholder meetings held related to your Pre-Development Project?
8
Number of community meetings attended last month related to your Pre-Development Project?
0
Service / Capacity
| Service | Capacity |
|---|---|
|
Accounting & Financial Management |
4 |
|
Advocacy |
4 |
|
Conflict Resolution |
4 |
|
Cooperative Development and Operations |
4 |
|
Education & Training |
4 |
|
Fundraising or Raising Capital |
3 some ability |
|
Governance / Legal |
4 |
|
Marketing & Communications |
4 |
|
Other |
N/A |
|
Project Management |
4 |
|
Real Estate Acquisition & Development |
5 extensive ability |
|
Relationship Building |
5 extensive ability |
|
Research |
3 some ability |
Other (please describe and include ranking)
What constraints or limitations with internal capacity is the organizarion experiencing related to its Pre-Development Project?
A new Corner Store Co-op LWCA business checking bank account was established with Square. A Business Debit Card was also issued under this account and linked to Dante Hamilton since Square requires an individual to be verified on behalf of the legal entity to establish the bank account. The Business License from the City Of Chicago has not yet been applied for. This will likely happen in January 2025 or late December 2024.
What opportunities, if any, did the organization take advantage of related to its Pre-Development Project?
The CSC Team was recognized by the IL CEO at a gala awards event and presented with an award at the event. Several members attended this event and took photos that were shared with other team members not present. Dante Hamilton completed the training for the Manufacturing Renaissance’s Early Warning Network on behalf of the Corner Store Co-op LWCA team. As a result the CSC will receive a stipend of $1,000 which will be paid into the newly created Square business checking account sometime in the month of December 2024.
Please use this space to elaborate, contextualize, or add any additional info about the details submitted in your report:
The CSC Team now meets twice a week on Monday and Thursday evenings to discuss and vote upon important matters relating to the opening of the retail store inside the National Public Housing Museum. Additionally, a series of “Vendors Wanted” Tuesday evening meetings via Zoom are being advertised on Eventbrite to solicit prospective makers and vendors for the opening of the retail store inside the National Public Housing Museum. These meetings are scheduled from November 26, 2024 - January 28, 2025. Recently we have started to meet every two weeks on Fridays with staff from the National Public Housing Museum to discuss items such as the store layout, point of sale systems and the logistics of the retail store.
