Retail Tenant Improvement Grant Program

Up to $50,000 grants available for Tenant Improvement Grants
Create new opportunities for street-level shopping Downtown
Improve Downtown walkability through long-term improvements

The RETAIL TENANT IMPROVEMENT (TI) PROGRAM is an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc., with support from the St. Louis Development Corporation. The fund operates as a reimbursable grant allocated to eligible business owners and tenants.

Timeline

The rolling application is open from April 2 – Aug. 31, 2024, or until all resources are exhausted. Applicants must apply for and receive approval for the Retail TI Grant prior to signing their lease.

Eligible Expenses

The TI Grant is intended for long-term improvements. Examples of eligible expenses under the Retail TI Grant include:

Interior demolition and shell reconstruction
Permanent equipment, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and HVAC
Permanent lighting
Flooring
Windows/doors/commercial storefront
Historic restoration of interior features
Permanent interior walls and finishes
Permanent bar/counter/cash wrap for point of sale
Architectural/interior design/permitting fees related to interior improvements
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Hazardous materials abatement, such as asbestos removal
Lead remediation

The following expenses are not eligible under the Retail TI Grant:

Furniture such as tables, chairs, display racks, and other similar fixtures
Temporary or movable cubicles or partitions to subdivide space
Movable equipment, fixtures, or furnishings
Moving expenses, salaries, working capital, or inventory
In-kind work performed by the applicant
Other items deemed as narrowly tailored for a particular use and not potentially beneficial to other future users of the space.

How to Qualify

These incentives can be used strategically in key corridors and retail nodes in Downtown St. Louis to implement the recommendations of the Design Downtown STL Plan. The grant is designed to assist:

Tenants interested in ground-floor retail bays with prominent street frontage;
A new business locating within Downtown;
An existing business relocating from outside Downtown;
An existing business opening an additional location Downtown.

Target Areas

Top Priority: Apparel, Bakery, Bookstore, Coffee Shop, Tea Shop, Florist, Gift Store, Ice Cream Parlor, Jewelry Store, Pharmacy, Restaurant, Shoe Store, Tailor

Medium Priority: Art Gallery, Art Supplies, Barber Shop, Hair Salon, Electronics, Grocery Store, Gym, Fitness Center, Laundry, Dry Cleaner, Medical Offices, Office Supplies, Record Shop, Sporting Goods, Toy Store

Low Priority: Other Types of Businesses

How to Apply

Interested retailers and entrepreneurs should send an introductory email to Clayton Geenen at Greater St. Louis, Inc., (clayton@greaterstlinc.com). If available, please include: