Welcome to Clinton Culinary—where local food artisans, entrepreneurs, and restaurateurs can launch and grow their businesses in a supportive storefront setting. Our incubator provides space and resources to help culinary ventures thrive.
Ready to apply? The application is at the bottom of the page. If you're interested but not quite ready, fill out a pre-application to learn more and get your questions answered.
Ready to apply? The application is at the bottom of the page. If you're interested but not quite ready, fill out a pre-application to learn more and get your questions answered.
What is the Clinton Culinary Restaurant Incubator?
Clinton Culinary provides an affordable, supportive environment for food entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses. Tenants gain access to essential resources, market connections, and hands-on experience in menu development, pricing, marketing, sales, and operations. With shared responsibilities for maintaining the space and a collaborative network, entrepreneurs refine their skills while minimizing upfront costs and long-term commitments.
Clinton Culinary provides an affordable, supportive environment for food entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses. Tenants gain access to essential resources, market connections, and hands-on experience in menu development, pricing, marketing, sales, and operations. With shared responsibilities for maintaining the space and a collaborative network, entrepreneurs refine their skills while minimizing upfront costs and long-term commitments.
Available Suites
- Three total suites
- Suites range in size from 244-388 square feet
- Rent ranges from $868-$963 per month
Flexible Lease Terms
Clinton Culinary offers flexible leases and subsidized rent to help businesses establish a storefront presence. With an initial one-year lease and extension options, our goal is to support your growth until you're ready to expand into a larger space.
Clinton Culinary offers flexible leases and subsidized rent to help businesses establish a storefront presence. With an initial one-year lease and extension options, our goal is to support your growth until you're ready to expand into a larger space.
What's Included in your Rent
- Shared dining area
- Shared dishwashing room (including related chemicals and maintenance)
- Utilities included (electricity, water, garbage; gas for Units A & B)
- Shared, non-secure fiberoptic internet (WIFI)
- Staff support for maintaining general cleanliness in the dining area
- Access to business resources to help strengthen and grow your venture
- Designated dry and cold storage area
What types of food businesses can apply? Clinton Culinary welcomes a diverse range of food ventures, from aspiring restaurateurs and food truck operators to caterers, market vendors, personal chefs, and packaged goods producers. We’re also open to new business concepts and ensure our support and facilities align with your unique vision.
What types of businesses cannot apply?
Businesses primarily selling alcohol for off-site consumption are not eligible to apply due to financing restrictions. However, alcohol sales are permitted if they remain under 25% of total sales and the business holds proper insurance and licensing.
Businesses primarily selling alcohol for off-site consumption are not eligible to apply due to financing restrictions. However, alcohol sales are permitted if they remain under 25% of total sales and the business holds proper insurance and licensing.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Businesses wishing to open a business within a storefront
- We prioritize startups
- You must meet our ‘business ready’ requirements
What are the ‘business ready’ requirements?
- A completed application
- A written business plan
- A detailed menu with pricing
- A complimentary business assessment with our partner, Padgett Business Services
- Proof of application or possession of a State of Iowa food worker’s card
- Proof of application or possession of a valid food license
When do I apply?
You may start the process at any time and encourage you let us know you are interested. We accept new businesses as openings are available.
You may start the process at any time and encourage you let us know you are interested. We accept new businesses as openings are available.
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Clinton Culinary is dedicated to increasing access to fresh food for those who live and work in the surrounding community. Our mission is to support small business incubation by providing food entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch, sustain, and grow their businesses—ultimately helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency.
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If you’re interested but not quite ready to submit a full application, we invite you to fill out a pre-application to share your interest. This way, you can learn more about the program and get your questions answered. To fully apply, please proceed with application below and be prepared to include your business plan so we can start the review process. Finally, while technology is an incredible tool, it can sometimes glitch. If you haven’t heard back from us, please call us directly at 309-788-6311.
Clinton Culinary is proudly sponsored by:
Visionary Sponsor
GATEWAY AREA FOUNDATION
The Clinton County Development Association grant for the incubators at Wilson Lofts was made possible in partnership with the Gateway Area Foundation as the application sponsor.
The Clinton County Development Association grant for the incubators at Wilson Lofts was made possible in partnership with the Gateway Area Foundation as the application sponsor.
Champion Sponsor
Advocate Sponsor
Supporter Sponsors
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