Students dreaming of owning their own businesses may get that chance sooner than they think when a widely-known Starkville developer completes his plans.
Dan Camp, the developer of the Cotton District, said a project to create new businesses and apartments off University Drive should begin within the next 60 days. Camp said he wants the businesses to be owned by students, and he is seeking ideas from students who are interested.
“We’d like to encourage students that had entrepreneurial ideas to come talk to us,” he said.
Camp said he came to that decision because he thinks students possess talents and ideas that may not be available in the general population, and he is willing to offer the spaces at a rent as low as $350 per month to back up his belief.
“Students offer a large pool of talent,” Camp said. “They’re never encouraged enough.”
Starkville Mayor Mack Rutledge said he supports the project and thinks Camp’s focus on students is a plus.
“I think the more deeply involved the students are in the community, the better for them and the community,” Rutledge said.
Camp said he hopes the development will create a New Orleans-style atmosphere with at least two-story apartment buildings that have shops lined underneath. Balconies will overlook the street, which will be located in an area across University Drive from Roxie’s restaurant.
Accordingly, the street will be named Rue du Grand Fromage, French for “Street of the Big Cheese.” Since it will be privately owned, patrons and dwellers will be allowed to drink alcohol freely on the street, unlike in other portions of the city.
One factor in the success of the created businesses will be their products, and part of Camp’s vision is for them to be specialty shops, with a limited type of offerings.
“Small little places, to me, are very intriguing-places that specialize in one thing,” Camp said.
Camp added that if a business specializes in one thing instead of a multitude of things, it has a better chance of survival.
“You could have flower shops … art and architectural supplies,” he said. “You could have used clothes; there’s all kinds of things you could have.”
Camp also said many people are discouraged by the amount of money they think it takes to start a business. He said it doesn’t have to take a huge amount of money if businesses start out small, focusing on one main product.
Former student Chris Oliver said Camp’s plan sounds enticing. Oliver once attempted to start a restaurant in Starkville, but he quickly changed his plans after he realized the amount of capital he would need.
“When I really started looking into starting the business, it was overwhelming to see how much money it was really going to take,” Oliver said. “But something like this, where rent is low and you started out smaller, could work out better.”
Camp said the plans include completing small portions at a time, but have no scheduled completion date. Students with ideas or seeking more information can contact Camp at 323-5132.
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