The communities of Hamilton and Lauraville have an association, Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, that recently initiated a business incubator program for new businesses. Operating out of an historic firehouse, the program’s first tenant is appropriately named ReNew… specifically ReNew Botanicals, the brainchild of skincare specialist Shelley Birnbaum, a resident of Lauraville. She’s had an award-winning organic day spa (Baltimore’s first) and an organic skincare studio in Hampden, but never a full retail storefront to promote her eco-friendly, organic business. So the opportunity to become the first business supported by Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street was beneficial for both. Funded in part by a crowdfunding campaign, the build-out of the ReNew Botanicals interior space was completed within a few short months, thanks to support from the community.
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| Shelley Birnbaum |
Ms. Birnbaum has hosted events to support the community, including a holiday open house for Small Business Saturday, and (seen below) a Valentine’s event featuring sales by local artists and craftspeople.
Update: Following the incubator location’s success, ReNew Botanicals moved to a new Baltimore location.