Ruth Glendinning and Susan Buhrman, her business partner in Community Renaissance Market Partners LLC, have taken an empty eye-sore of a building and turned it into a flourishing addition to the community. It’s a place where the disabled, elderly and veterans can open a store and run a business. The idea to take an empty big-box space and turn it into a thriving marketplace for entrepreneurs has caught national attention, and plans are underway to replicate this business model in other areas of the country.
To understand Ruth, and appreciate the impact she has had in her community, you must first understand her motivation. Ruth Glendinning’s husband, Keith Hogan, passed away on April 14, 2010. In their years of marriage, the couple worked together to make the world a better place for people with disabilities. Keith lived his life with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. He was raised to believe he could accomplish anything, and he did. He was a banker, real estate investor and developer. At the time of his death, Keith was making plans to establish a credit union for people with disabilities.
Even before Keith died, the process of turning a former 60,000-square-foot Albertsons grocery store in South Austin, Texas into a micro-business incubator for fledgling entrepreneurs was underway. Renamed the Community Renaissance Market, the old grocery store is now home to micro-businesses run by people who otherwise might not have a chance to follow their dream. By keeping the rent low & costs manageable, new entrepreneurs have a chance to learn about their market, work with fellow business owners and organically grow into their success. If the full-time commitment is a barrier, there is the option to pay a daily fee for those who only work during the weekend or at special events.
“Part of our job is educating people about the actions you need to take and what to do to be a successful business owner,” Ruth said. “One of the most important parts of maintaining a micro-business is education on the process.” The center has partnered with Foundation Communities, a local nonprofit that provides individuals with affordable housing and financial education through its tax preparation program and business education. A partnership with Disaboom, a national resource site for persons with disabilities and their family members, is also in the works to offer accessible technologies and business opportunities at the center. Community Renaissance Market is collaborating with DVERSE Solution, an agency specializing in enhancing the employability of people with disabilities through an array of training programs and job placement.
The Austin disability community now has a space they can regularly patronize while engaging with other members of the Austin community.
Ruth’s goal is to engage people with disabilities who live in her community and to educate businesses, corporations and industries to look beyond disabilities to the intellectual ability-set found in this virtually untapped community.
To learn more about Community Renaissance Market go to: www.communityrenaissancemarket.com
