Local Businessman Finds New Use for Old Millwood Kiosk
People may no longer need to develop film, but that doesn’t mean that the former film processing kiosk in the Millwood Shopping Center is obsolete.
Local businessman Michael Baker has repurposed the small freestanding booth in the parking lot near the A&P as The Entrepreneur’s Shack, a place where local residents can showcase their ideas and products.
Initially conceived by Baker, who is also an author, as a way to sell his books, he realized that the concept would be a good way for people to gain visibility without having to worry about the expense of renting a storefront for an extended period.
“Sometimes it’s very hard to really get your idea across or your book sold,” Baker said, “so I thought this could be a place where people could rent it for a very short time, backed up by a great website.”
Entrepreneurs can rent the shack for as little as one day or as long as two weeks. Their stay is promoted through The Entrepreneur’s Shack website. The venture is also strongly backed on social media, the use of which has already attracted several sellers who have rented out the space in the upcoming month.
“In the old days, standing on its own, The Entrepreneur’s Shack probably wouldn’t do that well, but now, we have social media where people can really get their name out to the public,” explained Baker.
Last Saturday marked the grand opening of the shack, which appeared as though it couldn’t fit more than two people at one time. The opening featured handmade jewelry from Briarcliff resident David Morrison, who has been selling his jewelry through word of mouth and his website for the past two years. He said that The Entrepreneur’s Shack will help to improve visibility for his company and was eager to be part of the new venture.
“Mike and I are great friends and we’re each other’s motivation…In February he came to me and said I’ve got a great idea and I want you to be part of it and the rest is history,” he said.
In addition to Morrison’s jewelry, local author Karl Milde offered his thriller novels for sale. Like Morrison, Milde has been friends with Baker for many years and thought the idea of The Entrepreneur’s Shack was an innovative way to use the kiosk that has been sitting idle in the shopping center for several years.
“The shack has been here a long, long time doing nothing and so [Baker] had the idea that he could help entrepreneurs like me, so I jumped on the idea,” he said.
Baker, who has a bachelor’s degree from Randolph Macon College and an MBA from Iona College, has a wealth of business experience and hopes that his idea can be replicated in malls and shopping centers. He noted that The Entrepreneur’s Shack is a win-win situation, providing a showcase venue for local products, ideas and merchants while attracting people from outside the immediate area who may also visit nearby stores.
Anybody interested in renting out The Entrepreneur’s Shack, including a schedule of rates, visit www.theentrepreneursshack.com.
Examiner Media – Keeping you informed with professionally-reported local news, features, and sports coverage.
