NOW OPEN· Corner of Water St & 2nd Ave
Summer 2026 Hours
Saturday, May 23, 2026- Monday, August 31, 2026
Thursdays & Fridays 11-6 pm
Saturdays 10-6 pm
Sundays & Mondays 11-4 pm
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Thursdays & Fridays 11-6 pm
Saturdays 10-6 pm
Sundays & Mondays 11-4 pm
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Daily rentals now available for a tiny shop at the Water Street Commons!
Rent a tiny shop for the day or the weekend to try out the Water Street Commons in Downtown Alpena! Join a supportive small business collective in a prime location downtown to test out the market. Now scheduling July through October 2026.
Here are the details:
Here are the details:
- Rent a retail shop at Water Street Commons for just $25 per day.
- Open to businesses selling retail goods.
- Complete one application per calendar year to become an approved rotating vendor.
- Once approved, reserve available shop space by contacting the DDA at least 36 hours in advance.
- Reservations are based on availability and DDA approval.
- Vendors must be open during all required Water Street Commons business hours for their rental day.
- Keep your space clean, professional, and follow the Vendor Handbook.
- All displays must be freestanding—nothing may be attached to walls, floors, or other permanent structures.
- Remove all merchandise and displays at the end of your rental unless you've reserved the space for the following day.
- Rent for as little as one day, with a maximum of five days per calendar month.
- Vendors are responsible for maintaining all required business licenses, permits, and legal compliance.
- The Alpena DDA reserves the right to deny or revoke vendor privileges for failure to follow program policies.
What is the Water Street Commons?
The Water Street Commons is a small business collaborative of five tiny shops, one beverage shed, food truck area, and outdoor seating area along the Thunder Bay River in the heart of Downtown Alpena. The project is led by the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as a way to provide low-cost, low-risk commercial space for small businesses looking to try out Downtown Alpena, diversify the downtown offerings, and bring more foot traffic to the downtown. The shops will be open each year May through December.
The Water Street Commons is a small business collaborative of five tiny shops, one beverage shed, food truck area, and outdoor seating area along the Thunder Bay River in the heart of Downtown Alpena. The project is led by the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as a way to provide low-cost, low-risk commercial space for small businesses looking to try out Downtown Alpena, diversify the downtown offerings, and bring more foot traffic to the downtown. The shops will be open each year May through December.
Learn more about our summer vendors below
Water Street Commons Details
Project Goals
We are looking for businesses who align with the following goals we have for the project:
Shop Details
We have 5 finished sheds available that are 12’ x 10’. There is 1 beverage shed that will be in the food truck area that is 24’ x 12’. Each shed is equipped with two outlets. Sheds do not have running water. Sheds are insulated. Tenants may bring a fan, AC unit, or space heater. Tenants may not paint the interior of sheds or replace flooring. Tenants are responsible for bringing any shelving. Signage will be provided for each vendor by the DDA.
Eligible Businesses
The DDA strives to have a balanced mix of food, drink, and retail businesses on the site. Downtown businesses may apply for a shed; however, preference goes to businesses selling products not currently available for purchase within the DDA district.
Seasons & Hours
You may request any or all of these seasons for rent in 2026. The rental rates include reimbursement for electrical use.
Summer Season: May- August 2026
Rent: $1495 tiny shop/ $2850 beverage shed
Required hours: Saturday, May 23, 2026- Monday, August 31, 2026
Fall Season: September- October 2026
Rent: $680 tiny shop/ $1250 beverage shed
Required hours:
Holiday Season: November- December 2026
Rent: $650 tiny shop/ $1250 beverage shed
Required hours:
If you are selected, each season has mandatory hours that you must commit to be open, so that we can provide a vibrant, active, and collaborative shopping and social environment for the community which is open for business during daytime, evening, and weekend hours. You will get one excused absence each season. If you are selected to rent, you are encouraged to stay open additional days/times beyond these minimum requirements. Tenants will have access to the sheds 7 days a week and can remain open and operational for whichever additional hours they choose.
Pop-Up & Daily Rentals- Apply here to rent a tiny shop at the Water Street Commons on a daily basis to test out the waters!
Food Trucks
Food trucks may set up in the food truck court on a daily or weekly basis. Food trucks must be scheduled with 24 hours advance notice. Power will be provided to each food truck. Daily rental rate is $25/day with a $200/month maximum. If you are interested in setting your food truck up, please contact the DDA directly at 989-356-6422 or [email protected]
Payment Information
If selected, a security deposit of $250 is due at the time of signing a rental use agreement to secure your shop. This fee will be refunded to you at the end of the season if your shop is found to be in acceptable shape. The entirety of your rent, electrical fee, and marketing fee is due before access is given to the shop.
We are looking for businesses who align with the following goals we have for the project:
- Activate the riverfront and provide linkage between parts of downtown
- Provide attainable, low-risk commercial space for businesses that have the potential for along-term future downtown
- Draw additional foot traffic downtown
- Diversify the retail, food and drink options downtown
Shop Details
We have 5 finished sheds available that are 12’ x 10’. There is 1 beverage shed that will be in the food truck area that is 24’ x 12’. Each shed is equipped with two outlets. Sheds do not have running water. Sheds are insulated. Tenants may bring a fan, AC unit, or space heater. Tenants may not paint the interior of sheds or replace flooring. Tenants are responsible for bringing any shelving. Signage will be provided for each vendor by the DDA.
Eligible Businesses
The DDA strives to have a balanced mix of food, drink, and retail businesses on the site. Downtown businesses may apply for a shed; however, preference goes to businesses selling products not currently available for purchase within the DDA district.
Seasons & Hours
You may request any or all of these seasons for rent in 2026. The rental rates include reimbursement for electrical use.
Summer Season: May- August 2026
Rent: $1495 tiny shop/ $2850 beverage shed
Required hours: Saturday, May 23, 2026- Monday, August 31, 2026
- Thursdays & Fridays 11-6 pm
- Saturdays 10-6 pm
- Sundays & Mondays 11-4 pm
- Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Fall Season: September- October 2026
Rent: $680 tiny shop/ $1250 beverage shed
Required hours:
- Fridays 11-6 pm
- Saturdays 10-5 pm
Holiday Season: November- December 2026
Rent: $650 tiny shop/ $1250 beverage shed
Required hours:
- Friday, November 27 from 10 am- 6pm
- Weekends between Thanksgiving & Christmas:
- Saturdays 10-5 pm
- Sundays 11-4 pm
If you are selected, each season has mandatory hours that you must commit to be open, so that we can provide a vibrant, active, and collaborative shopping and social environment for the community which is open for business during daytime, evening, and weekend hours. You will get one excused absence each season. If you are selected to rent, you are encouraged to stay open additional days/times beyond these minimum requirements. Tenants will have access to the sheds 7 days a week and can remain open and operational for whichever additional hours they choose.
Pop-Up & Daily Rentals- Apply here to rent a tiny shop at the Water Street Commons on a daily basis to test out the waters!
- Rent a retail shop at Water Street Commons for just $25 per day! Open to businesses selling retail goods.
- Complete one application per calendar year to become an approved rotating vendor.
- Once approved, reserve available shop space by contacting the DDA at least 36 hours in advance.
- Reservations are based on availability and DDA approval.
- Vendors must be open during all required Water Street Commons business hours for their rental day.
- Keep your space clean, professional, and follow the Vendor Handbook.
- All displays must be freestanding—nothing may be attached to walls, floors, or other permanent structures.
- Remove all merchandise and displays at the end of your rental unless you've reserved the space for the following day.
- Rent for as little as one day, with a maximum of five days per calendar month.
- Vendors are responsible for maintaining all required business licenses, permits, and legal compliance.
- The Alpena DDA reserves the right to deny or revoke vendor privileges for failure to follow program policies.
- Payment is non-refundable, and your date will not be reserved until we receive payment.
Food Trucks
Food trucks may set up in the food truck court on a daily or weekly basis. Food trucks must be scheduled with 24 hours advance notice. Power will be provided to each food truck. Daily rental rate is $25/day with a $200/month maximum. If you are interested in setting your food truck up, please contact the DDA directly at 989-356-6422 or [email protected]
Payment Information
If selected, a security deposit of $250 is due at the time of signing a rental use agreement to secure your shop. This fee will be refunded to you at the end of the season if your shop is found to be in acceptable shape. The entirety of your rent, electrical fee, and marketing fee is due before access is given to the shop.
Food Trucks Wanted
We are looking for food trucks and food vendors to join the Water Street Commons on a daily or weekly basis. Fee is $25/day with power hook-ups provided. Public seating area with tables, chairs, and trash receptacles is located near the hook-ups with the only riverfront dining views in Downtown Alpena! Reach out to the DDA Office about joining us during the busy summer months downtown at 989-356-6422 or [email protected]
