Program to grow businesses in Hampton neighborhood reaches final stages

A year-long program to help grow five businesses in Hampton's Phoebus neighborhood is reaching its final stages.

Last year, Retail Alliance — a Norfolk organization dedicated to supporting the growth of local businesses — won a $100,000 state grant and used the money to start a pilot program in the historic Phoebus neighborhood.

The organization joined with Phoebus Partnership to select five local shops, which would then spend several months working directly with consultants on everything from branding to storefront improvements to websites and social media. The hope was to help businesses reach more customers and improve customer experience, leading to an increase in revenues.