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Project: Pop-Up Medford

A Microenterprise Assistance Program  

Program Summary 

The City of Medford is partnering with a strategic business consulting firm, UpNext, to host a retail pop-up in a Medford storefront. Through Project: Pop-Up Medford, UpNext will develop and implement a comprehensive program to activate 348 Boston Avenue near Tufts University as a pop-up retail incubator, for use by eligible microenterprises. Participating in a pop-up is a lower-risk way for microenterprises to test new uses, collaborate with other microenterprises, and grow their consumer base, all while contributing to the vibrancy of the retail district.

The City invites business owners, makers, creators, and entrepreneurs to apply for Project: Pop-Up Medford. The assistance program aims to support up to three (3) microenterprises with a short-term, free retail storefront in Medford and business development support. The program will run from November 2025 to January 2026. The program is open to microenterprises – businesses with 5 or fewer full-time employees, including owners. Business owners must be Medford residents and not exceed income thresholds. More details on eligibility below.

This assistance program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The program is subject to the availability of CDBG funding from HUD and to the continued eligibility of the City to receive such funds. Review and acceptance of applicants will be subject to applicable HUD regulations.

Program Benefits 

Participants of Project: Pop-Up Medford will have access to the following:  

Physical Space & Resources

522 SF of turnkey retail space at 348 Boston Ave

Fully paid rent and utilities, including Wi-Fi

Flexible fixtures, furniture for set-up, and signage

Retail set-up for a maximum of three-months

A shared store space with multiple entrepreneurs

The Pop-Up Playbook—an online course for how to run a great pop-up shop

Pop-in Strategy—a mini-course on increasing revenue & offsetting rent costs

Retail marketing foundations and a social media launch calendar

Stipend to support business activities, like staffing, operations, marketing, compensation, etc.

Eligibility

For full details on Project: Pop-Up Medford, please visit our Program Guidelines.  

Interested applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Microenterprise: An Applicant’s business must have 5 or fewer Full Time Equivalent employees, including the owner(s).
  2. Residency: The owner of the Applicant business must be a Medford resident.
  3. Income Restriction: The total family income of all family members of the Applicant residing in their  household (including all persons aged 18 and over) must be equal to or less than the following amounts

Visit HERE for information on what is and is not included in the calculation of household income. 

Applicants will be asked to provide documentation on the total income for their household including, but not limited to, tax returns, pay stubs, etc. 

Applications

Applications are submitted to UpNext, and applicants will be evaluated on eligibility, retail readiness, and concept viability. Applications are open now and will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Please click below to submit your application:

application

  1. Applicants must apply on UpNext’s webpage.
  2. UpNext will review Applicants for their ability to succeed in a short-term retail environment. Applicant's compatibility with other microenterprise business owners, readiness, and availability will be considered.
  3. UpNext will provide a short list of Potential Participants to City of Medford's Economic Development Planner.
  4. The Economic Development Planner will provide Potential Participants instructions for program eligibility verification. Potential Participants must submit documents for income eligibility verification. Potential Participants have 5 business days to submit all documentation. If an applicant does not submit the requested information within 5 business days, the review process will be terminated.
  5. The Economic Development Planner will share verified, eligible Potential Participants with UpNext.
  6. UpNext will select the best and most responsible applicants. UpNext and each Program Participant will enter into an agreement for participation in the Program.

Additional Information 

If you have any questions about the program before submitting your application please contact the Kayla Myros, Economic Development Planner, at the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability via email at kmyros@medford-ma.gov or via phone 781-393-2480.

Past Programs

June-July 2025

Three Medford residents were selected to participate in the first round of Project: Pop-Up Medford. The businesses were blob.says.hello (jewelry designer), Bithiah’s Art (artist-illustrator), and Sunny Side Up Studio (photographer). These entrepreneurs piloted their products at 68 High Street in Medford Square. They had access to the storefront rent-free and received business development resources for launching their business in a retail environment. The pop-up retail shop ran from June through July 15, 2025. We thank them for their participation and for activating a corner of our square!