Winter Retail Activation Program  

Reach out to your fellow retailers to make the most of this holiday season!

This program is designed to support retailers in creating a vibrant and engaging shopping experience to increase foot traffic through the holiday and winter seasons. 

Prosper Portland's Events and Film Office is pleased to partner with the Win Big Campaign presented by Bricks Need Mortar, Winter Light Festival, and Vida En Color to offer various ways to brighten the winter. 

Key Dates

  • Wednesday, September 27 @ 5 p.m. The expression of interest form closes

  • Tuesday, October 3 Participants are notified

  • Tell us about any vacant storefronts in your retail community that could be considered for the window installations.

    Is this area planning on participating in the Winter Light Festival?

    Share any holiday or winter events that are scheduled in your area.

    Business contact information and address for each participating business

How it works 

Prosper Portland can support up to ten retail store communities, shopping districts, or business associations with vacant storefront activations and events to amplify the holiday shopping season and brighten the early winter months.  

If selected, participating businesses will receive: 

  • Storefront design supplies (lights, window clings, stencils, etc.) 

  • Special access to the Win Big Campaign 

Each retail store community, shopping district, or business association will receive a professionally designed holiday window display in a vacant storefront that will transition to a Winter Light Festival installation in February.  

The window display will serve as the starting point for visitors to explore retail stores in different Portland communities. To market the window activation the program team will coordinate with businesses to host two events to debut the window as well as provide marketing and promotions.  


Eligibility 

  • A minimum of four ground-level retail businesses within walking distance express interest in participating in the program. Walking distance is generally considered a four-block radius. 

  • Retail businesses could include cafes, bars, restaurants, salons, barber shops, nail salons, or spas. Other business types may be considered.  

Participating businesses are asked to do the following:

  • Decorate their storefronts  

  • Hang promotional materials/ window clings  

  • Use a specific color or theme in their storefronts to amplify the effect of the program 

  • Report back on the impact of the program 

  • Be open during events that promote the area 


How do I apply? 

  1. Reach out to your retail business neighbors and see who is interested. For the campaign to be successful it is important to have a critical mass of businesses engaged in the program.  

  2. Complete the expression of interest form before September 27 at 5pm. If you can submit your form early the program team will be able to provide feedback.  

If you have questions reach out to Amanda at parka@prosperportland.us 


Supported by Prosper Portland, the City of Portland, and the American Rescue Plan.   

Brought to you in partnership with