Grants Entrepreneurship

Future Downtown Flower Shop Wins Jump Start Prize

Lily Beez will make home on Main St. in Eau Claire

V1 Staff |

GETTING A JUMP ON SUCCESS. The winners of the 2022 Jump Start Downtown competition. (Submitted photo)
GETTING A JUMP ON SUCCESS. The winners of the 2022 Jump Start Downtown competition. (Submitted photo)

A luxury floral and gift shop planning to open in downtown Eau Claire is the grand-prize winner of the latest Jump Start Downtown competition sponsored by Downtown Eau Claire Inc. 

Lily Beez, which will be at 303 Main St., won the Jim Mishefske Grand Prize Award, which includes a $5,000 cash prize sponsored by Royal Credit Union, a six-month DECI business membership, and a three month flex membership with CoLab.

The Honorable Mention Award, worth $2,500, went to The Crazy Buzzard, a restaurant that recently relocated from Banbury Place to 409 Galloway St., the former home of Galloway Grille. The award also includes a six-month DECI membership, and a three-month CoLab flex membership. 

In addition, extra sponsorship funds allowed DECI to give out two $1,000 Innovative Idea Prizes. The first winner was The Eau Claire Refillery, an eco-friendly store at 207 N. Barstow St., that is focused on reducing packaging waste by allowing customers to buy or bring refillable containers and fill them with shampoo, soap, cleaning products, and more.  The other winner was Laser Fix, 130 S. Barstow St., which provides laser hair-reduction treatments.

“We had an especially strong slate of applicants this year,” said Aaron White, DECI executive director. “With seven applicants, this was also the second-highest number of participants in the program’s 17-year history, and we think that is really good news. Interest in establishing a business downtown remains high, and a thriving business core really benefits our entire community.”

The Jump Start Downtown competition is sponsored by Royal Credit Union, Banbury Place, CoLab, Mayo Clinic Health System, Ruder Ware, Xcel Energy, Bakke Normal Law Offices, Cigan Properties, Market & Johnson, Pablo Foundation, and Westconsin Credit Union. DECI is a nonprofit, city-affiliated organization the promotes the development of business, housing, culture, and activities in downtown Eau Claire. Learn more at DowntownEauClaire.org.