The 811 Retail Incubator’s first 18 months met every expectation, Dan Smith shared, including proving The Porter House KC’s core theory: combining below-market retail space with real-world education creates a “learn while you earn” environment.
A handful of spots within Kansas City’s first retail incubator have now reopened at 811 E. 31st St. after it initially housed nine businesses in the space’s inaugural year — surpassing the initial target — with a majority of those BIPOC- and women-owned.
LaToya Ebony Sirls, Someday Sunday, at the 811 Retail Incubator, The Porter House KC; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“Entrepreneurs can test strategies with actual customers before making major capital investments,” explained Smith, co-founder of PHKC. “Our participants don’t just survive; they build sustainable operations.”
ICYMI: Resilience pays off as retail incubator opens doors; Meet the first featured founders at PHKC
811 Retail operates on an 18-month cycle for entrepreneurs, Smith said, which gives entrepreneurs enough time to genuinely test their concept, refine operations, and build customer relationships, but also ensures a clear timeline that creates urgency and accountability.
“We help graduating businesses plan their next step — whether that’s a permanent location, expanded e-commerce presence, or continued pop-up strategy,” he continued.
“Departing businesses also complete an exit process so we capture learnings and track outcomes,” he added. “Did they secure a permanent location? Are they still operating? What support did they need that we didn’t provide? That data feeds back into program improvement.”
For 2026, the retail hub is currently accepting applications for five open spots.
“We’re looking for product-based businesses that are ready to operate in a physical retail environment and committed to participating in our educational programming,” Smith added, noting the space also has a waitlist for pre-approved applicants.
Click here to apply for the 811 Retail Hub.
The 811 Retail Incubator at 811 E. 31st St.; submitted photo
New makers go through a structured onboarding, Smith explained, noting the process includes a business readiness assessment, goal-setting, and integration into the Growth360 programming — in partnership with the Missouri Small Business Development Center at UMKC — and Retail Ready Bootcamp, a program that focuses on developing the brands into big-box-ready entities.
“We’re launching our second 811 cohort this spring, taking everything we learned from year one and building an even stronger experience,” Smith said.
The backyard community space at the 811 Retail Incubator; submitted photo
On top of housing businesses, the brick-and-mortar 811 Retail building near Kansas City’s Tower East neighborhood hosted dozens of community events during its first 18 months.
The PHKC team also oversaw several upgrade projects, including installing a permanent sign on the front facade to enhance visibility and make it easier for customers to find the retail hub; and building an enclosed outdoor commercial courtyard that features a multi-purpose community space with a composite deck, ADA-compliant access, proper drainage, and a community fire pit.
“The biggest transformation has been the backyard,” Smith said. “It’s become a real gathering place.”
“In fact, we launched our podcast, ‘Convos in the Yard,’ out of that space,” he added. “It’s given us a platform to have authentic conversations about entrepreneurship and community right here where the work happens.”
The outdoor space — which is available for rent — will continue to host events, networking, and programming throughout 2026, he said.
While the backyard space is complete, Smith noted, an upstairs renovation effort at 811 Retail is still a work in progress.
“We ran into some challenges along the way — things that were unavoidable with a building of this age,” he explained. “But we’re excited to share that construction has resumed, and we’re hopeful it will be completed before summer.”
“Once finished, the second floor will expand what we can offer: additional programming space, potential for new partnerships, and more room to serve entrepreneurs,” Smith added.
