Selected participants will be offered a six-month pop-up term, including two weeks at the beginning for move-in and setup and two weeks at the end for breakdown and move-out. Move-in and move-out activities must be completed within the designated periods—no additional time will be provided.

Businesses should apply if: 

• They are prepared to make the pop-up a full-time job or significant professional priority

• Can commit to being open at least 32 hours per week for the duration of the pop-up

• They are prepared to invest financially in their pop-up

• Have an established business and some demonstrated history of selling their products or services and working with customers

• They are prepared to scale their operations to support a new location while maintaining any existing operations

• Can clearly articulate what they would bring to a neighborhood and how their business could contribute to a vibrant retail environment

• Have a clear understanding of their business model, target customer, competition, and the Seattle market

• Are self-starters who can identify opportunities, solve problems, and ask for support when they need it

• Have the appropriate business licensing and/or understand the permitting that will be required for their concept

• Are comfortable operating in Downtown Seattle neighborhoods

• Are willing to experiment, learn, take feedback, and adjust their approach as they learn what works

As a Seattle Restored participant, you are expected to follow the Participation Requirements above, including retail hours, public access, retail or events focus, and licensing. In addition, participants must:

• Complete a participant contract and attend a program orientation session.

• Create a profile page on the Seattle Restored website

• Attend regular check-ins with program managers, and maintain clear consistent communication with Seattle Restored staff throughout their pop-up.

• Submit monthly sales reports, complete pre- and post-participation surveys, and share monthly foot-traffic data as requested.

• Provide W-9 form and invoices as needed 

• Sign an acknowledgment that continued non-compliance with program requirements may result in the immediate termination of your participation

• Have your name and business associated with the Seattle Restored program, Seattle Office of Economic Development, the Good Business Network of Washington, and any private funders

• Promote your participation in the program through social media, website promotion, and the display of a Seattle Restored branded A-board, window cling, and postcards at your location

• Be responsible for costs related to security, additional tenant improvement, staffing, production, marketing, parking, etc. (if applicable)

• Discuss any significant renovations, 3rd party leasing, or programming not outlined in your initial application with your program lead prior to implementation

• Secure all licenses and permits as required for desired operations, including change of use permits, construction permits, alcohol service permits, and large event permits 

Yes! In fact, we encourage it. Hosting events is a great way to increase visibility of your pop-up and draw foot traffic into your storefront. You will be responsible for acquiring any additional permits (for example, a banquet permit to serve alcohol), security, and/or event insurance if necessary.

Yes! Workshops are another great way to drive traffic to your storefront and increase engagement with your customer base. You should be mindful of any permitting or insurance needs and limit your workshops to activities that can be safely and cleanly managed within the restrictions of your location.

Yes, you can apply for a Seattle Restored pop-up with an event, workshop-based, or service-based business. Our program requires a minimum of 32 open retail hours per week, across at least five days. At least one of the five days must fall on a Saturday or Sunday. We encourage you to explain how you will manage and staff your hours, and how you will attract customers/clientele to your storefront.

There is no fee to apply to Seattle Restored, and we do not collect any fees to participate. Our program provides a no-cost lease, general liability insurance, and internet, as well as a small stipend to support the operation of each pop-up. However, there will be other costs associated with opening and managing a retail pop-up, such as increased inventory and staffing, marketing materials, and furniture/display fixtures, which may exceed the provided stipend. Businesses that apply should be prepared to take on additional expenses during their participation.

Businesses will not be able to sell food or beverages unless they are shelf-stable, grocery items.

Due to the higher start-up costs and additional permitting requirements of opening food-based businesses, Seattle Restored is primarily focused on retail businesses in 2027.

Food-based businesses looking for pop-up space may submit this interest form to be notified of future opportunities.

Seattle Restored requires a minimum of 32 open retail hours per week, and at least five days. One of the five days must fall on the weekend. Pop-ups may be staffed by employees.

Storefronts will be required to be open at least five days per week. You can have longer operating hours on the weekends, but participants will need to meet the minimum requirement of five days. Businesses should be prepared to make the pop-up a full-time job or significant professional priority.

Available storefronts vary in size. Previous locations have been anywhere from 500 to 5,000 square feet, but most are around 1,000 square feet on average. Our team will do our best to place participants in appropriately sized locations, but we may not always be able to place you in your ideal space. If you have smaller-sized inventory, we encourage you to think creatively about how you might arrange a space that is larger than what you need, and vice versa.

Yes, it is possible to combine multiple businesses into one space. This can be a great way to manage hours, staffing, and merchandising needs. Any businesses interested in applying together must determine one person/business to represent them in the application and in ongoing communications with our team if selected to move forward in the process. Only one stipend will be provided per storefront, so it is up to the applicants to determine how funding will be shared and distributed. Seattle Restored will not facilitate day-to-day operations of shared locations.

Foot traffic varies greatly by neighborhood and can change significantly from block to block. We encourage you to think strategically about how you will market your pop-up and direct traffic toward your storefront so that you are not only relying on walk-by engagement.

Have questions about the Seattle Restored 2027 pop-up application? Join us for virtual office hours to get support and ask questions about the application process.

Dates: Fridays, November 6, 13, and 20, 2026
Time: 9-11 am PT
Location: Virtual via Zoom

Need language interpretation or ASL interpretation? Email us at info@seattlerestored.org to request an individual session.

Pop-ups must have a city business license. A state business license is also required if your business earns more than $12,000 annually.

City of Seattle Business License

• Applicants can apply for or renew a city business license online at filelocal-wa.gov.

• If you need technical assistance, the Seattle Finance Department can help:

• Email: tax@seattle.gov
• Phone: 206-684-8484 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM)
• In-person support is available by appointment at Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave, Lobby, Window 5, typically on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Schedule an appointment online at seattlelta.timetap.com.

Washington State Business License/Unified Business Identifier (UBI)

• If your business earns more than $12,000 annually, you must acquire a state license and submit your UBI on your Seattle Restored application.

• Applicants can search or apply for a state license online at wa.gov/businesses.

PDF and Word Document versions of the application will be made available here when applications open.

Please note: All applications must be submitted through Submittable. Documents downloaded here are for reference only.

Seattle Restored encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities.

If you require disability accommodations, materials in alternate formats, or accessibility information, please contact us at info@seattlerestored.org.