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New Boutique Shop on Clinton St. wins grant with Koffman Southern Tier Incubator

Ebony Hattoh (left), Koffman’s Associate Director of Equity and Justice and Carolee Constable (right), owner of 85 Clinton Street

The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator announces a funding award from The Community Foundation of South Central NY’s Spring 2024 Funding Cycle to renovate and develop 85 Clinton Street into a vibrant vendor boutique. This initiative will provide a dynamic retail space for local artisans and makers to sell their unique wares this coming fall, fostering a thriving community hub for minority entrepreneurs.

The space, owned by Carolee Constable, a dedicated Black woman entrepreneur, will offer a supportive environment for BIPOC vendors to engage directly with customers, increase visibility, and enhance market access for Black-owned businesses in Binghamton. The goals of this project include:

  • Providing a storefront for BIPOC vendors to connect with customers.
  • Increasing visibility and market access for Black-owned businesses in Binghamton.
  • Fostering community engagement and support for diverse local businesses.

Ebony Hattoh, Associate Director for Equity and Justice for the New Energy New York initiative at Binghamton University, is leading this initiative in collaboration with Constable. “Historical disenfranchisement has significantly impacted the representation of Black-owned businesses, which currently make up less than 10% of businesses in Binghamton. Now is the time to prioritize and support Black-owned enterprises,” says Hattoh.

Hattoh will be teaching a 12-week accelerator course specifically for vendors seeking a spot at the Clinton Street Boutique. This entrepreneurship crash course offers individuals the opportunity to explore new markets and test out a brick-and-mortar space without assuming all the associated risks alone.

While vendors prepare for launching their businesses in a secure and staffed venue, Constable will oversee building renovations over the summer, including a new roof, flooring upgrades, light fixtures, and painting.

The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, in collaboration with New Energy New York Equity & Justice (E&J), is spearheading this effort. Since 2017, Koffman has assisted community businesses in raising over $291 million and creating more than 464 jobs in the region. This initiative aims to replicate that success for Black-owned businesses in the Southern Tier.

“At the Koffman, we are proud to support the development of The Shoppes on Clinton. This initiative embodies our commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and providing opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. By transforming 85 Clinton Street into a vibrant marketplace, we aim to create a thriving community hub that showcases the talents and creativity of local artisans and makers. We believe this project will not only enhance the visibility of Black-owned businesses but also strengthen the fabric of our local economy,” said Bandhana Katoch, Executive Director of the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator.

The Shoppes on Clinton Street project is made possible by a grant from the Harriet Ford Dickenson Fund of the Community Foundation for South Central New York.

For questions about the accelerator program or the project at 85 Clinton Street, contact Ebony Hattoh via email at ehattoh@binghamton.edu.