Located at 310 2nd Avenue in the heart of Downtown Sterling, Illinois, the Shoppes at Grandon Plaza is an entrepreneurial incubator, not a traditional retail center. Businesses are expected to actively participate in creating an engaging shopping destination while developing their own operations.
Successful tenants are those who are excited to:
- Welcome and engage customers
- Be open during required operating hours
- Market and promote their business regularly
- Participate in collaborative promotions and events
- Learn from fellow entrepreneurs
- Take advantage of available educational resources and mentoring
The program offers affordable retail space with leases beginning at three months, allowing businesses to test the market, with a maximum stay of 24 months. The expectation is that businesses will use the incubator to grow toward a long-term, independent storefront when they’re ready.
Meet Our Current Shoppes
Hours of Operation
WEDNESDAYS 5-7PM (or longer)
SATURDAYS 10AM-2PM
Additional hours vary from business to business with Thursday nights, and various Friday hours among the norm. Special event activities will be featured here, but check out individual business sites for detailed hours for each. Their online shopping is ALWAYS OPEN and schedule in store pick up at your convenience!
Upcoming Special Events
Unit #1 - Amber + Smoke
Amber + Smoke is your destination for locally crafted botanical skin, hair + home care essentials.
“Skincare should be more than a routine—it should feel like a return to yourself. That belief is at the heart of every formula created + your experience here at Amber + Smoke.” — Sarah
Unit #2 - Leigh Alan Design
Leigh Alan Design is the next business we welcome to the Shoppe at Grandon Plaza. Leigh Alan Design is a lifestyle brand focused on thoughtful bespoke quality and everyday simplistic beauty. With a commitment to functionality and style, our handcrafted products are made to help you simplify your life – without sacrificing the little luxuries. Leigh Alan Design’s monthly hours will be posted in advance and by appointment. Visit her website, or follow along with her on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest!
Unit #3 - Pirate Mom Soapworks
At Pirate Mom Soapworks, we are a family owned business dedicated to creating the finest soap and body products for any pirates booty. Our formulations consist of natural, organic ingredients that nourish your skin to ensure a pleasurable experience for all pirates. We attempt to be as eco-friendly as possible with recycled paper bands on our soaps, and we are conscious of our carbon footprint when it comes to shipping in our raw materials.
Even though we “Do It For Your Booty” we take great pride in our commitment to quality and transparency. If it’s not good enough for our pirates, it’s not good enough for you.
Unit #5 - Bon Baby Boutique
Unit #6 - The Midwest Mercantile
The Midwest Mercantile is a boutique experience where you can find clothing, jewelry, stickers, home decor and gifts with a focus on sourcing from Midwest brands and women owned businesses.
I believe that shopping is more than just getting something new; it’s a feeling. You know the feeling. When you pick out that perfect gift for someone you care about, or the feeling of warmth on a chilly afternoon from your favorite sweater. Maybe it’s when a pair of earrings ties together your whole outfit, and you just feel incredible.
Whatever that feeling is for you, I hope that you find it when shopping with us at The Midwest Mercantile. Whether you’re in the heart of the Midwest – or the Midwest is just in your heart – I’m glad you’re here.
Unit #7 - Still Story Kitchen
Interested in space at the Shoppes?
We’re looking for entrepreneurs who have products ready to sell and are eager to build a retail presence.
Application are accepted on a rolling basis for our wait list and reviewed by Sterling Main Street’s Economic Vitality committee as opportunities become available.
Ideal applicants might include:
- Online businesses ready for a physical storefront
- Farmers market, craft show, and pop-up vendors
- Makers and artisans
- Boutique retailers
- Gift and specialty shops
- Home-based businesses looking to grow
- New retail concepts ready to test the market
While retail remains the primary focus of The Shoppes, we’re always interested in hearing creative ideas that complement the overall shopping experience.
Our goal is to foster entrepreneurship in Sterling and throughout the greater Sauk Valley by providing emerging businesses with a supportive, structured environment to test their market, build a customer base and gain real-world storefront experience.
What We Expect
Your participation matters.
The Shoppes work because our entrepreneurs don’t simply rent space—they help create the experience.
Tenants are expected to:
- Maintain required operating hours
- Provide consistent staffing for their business
- Actively market and promote their business
- Communicate regularly with the Shoppes Manager and Sterling Main Street
- Participate in cooperative promotions and programming
- Engage positively with customers and fellow tenants
- Take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow
We’re looking for entrepreneurs who want to be part of something—not simply occupy a space.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Running a business is a big undertaking, and we want our entrepreneurs to succeed.
We strongly encourage current and prospective Shoppes businesses to take advantage of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Sauk Valley Community College. The SBDC provides confidential business advising, planning assistance and other resources at no cost to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Think the Shoppes might be your next step?
Not quite ready for a storefront? We’d still like to hear from you. Opportunities to participate in pop-ups and other Shoppes programming can be a great way to introduce your business, test the market and become part of our growing entrepreneurial community.
Contact us:
Sterling Main Street
Sarah Coyle, Shoppes Manager
15 East 3rd Street
Sterling, IL 61081
Phone: 815-626-8610
Email: shoppes@sterlingmainstreet.org
Success Stories
Sara joined the Shoppes in May 2025, and in May 2026 she flew the nest, opening her new home in downtown Fulton, IL.
Through beautifully designed stationary and thoughtfully curated paper goods, Paper & Hide Co. empowers people to live more intentionally, blending function with charm to support mindful planning, expressive journaling, and thoughtful communication.
One of the inaugural tenants of the Shoppes in 2024, Rustic Paw Studio features a full line of Myra Bags, accessories and more.
Rustic Paw Studio currently makes its home at 210 W. 1st Street in downtown Dixon, IL.
Food Trucks Also Welcome!
2 Parking Pads dedicated for use by area Food Trucks are also available. 220 electric is available, so no generator is needed. Dates must be scheduled in advance. Contact Sterling Main Street for more information and to reserve your dates.
Thank You to our Project Partners and Investors
