For many small business owners, buying commercial real estate can feel like a big leap. There’s finding the right property, understanding zoning and permits, figuring out financing, navigating utilities, and making sure the numbers actually work for your business.
And that’s before you even get to the closing table.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Project Storefront is a free workshop designed to help Colorado Springs small business owners better understand the process of purchasing or leasing commercial real estate and connect with the people who can help along the way.
The workshop, hosted by Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center and B:Side Capital, brings together the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities, Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, commercial real estate brokers and community lenders to give entrepreneurs practical information and direct access to local resources.
From “Where do I start?” to “What’s next?”
Whether you’re thinking about buying your first commercial property or simply wondering if ownership makes sense for your business, there are a lot of questions to consider.
Where should I look?
The right property isn’t necessarily the one with the best price. Location, zoning, accessibility, future growth, and how the space fits your business all matter.
Can I actually afford to buy?
Understanding how much capital you need, and what financing options may be available, is an important part of the decision. For eligible businesses, the SBA 504 loan program can provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for the purchase, construction, or improvement of commercial real estate.
What permits or approvals will I need?
A property that looks perfect on paper may not work for your business if the zoning, permits, or other requirements don’t line up with your plans. Understanding those requirements early can help prevent expensive surprises later.
What about utilities and improvements?
Moving into a new commercial space can involve more than signing a lease or buying a building. New utility connections, energy-efficiency improvements, and other property-related considerations can all affect your project and your budget.
These are exactly the kinds of questions Project Storefront is designed to help answer.
A roadmap for your next move
Project Storefront is designed to give entrepreneurs a better understanding of the full commercial real estate process, from the initial search for a property through occupancy.
Participants will learn about:
- Site selection: What to consider when evaluating a potential location
- Permits and zoning: How city requirements can affect your project
- Financing: Capital options for purchasing, building, or improving commercial property
- SBA 504 loans: How this financing program can help eligible small businesses invest in owner-occupied commercial real estate
- Utilities: Resources for new commercial connections and energy-efficiency opportunities
- Local resources: Who to contact when you need help navigating the process
Perhaps most importantly, the workshop gives business owners the opportunity to meet the people behind these resources.
Instead of searching the internet, asking AI for answers, or trying to coordinate everything yourself, you can start building a network of local professionals who understand the Colorado Springs business community.
Who should attend?
Project Storefront is for Colorado Springs entrepreneurs who are thinking about their next location or their next stage of growth.
That includes:
- Business owners considering purchasing commercial property
- Entrepreneurs currently leasing who want to explore whether ownership makes sense
- Startups evaluating their first commercial location
- Small businesses looking for capital or SBA loan guidance
- Business owners who need help understanding permits, zoning, or utilities
You don’t need to have a property picked out or a financing application ready to attend. In fact, the earlier you start learning about the process, the better prepared you’ll be when the right opportunity comes along.
Your next building could be more than just a place to work
For a growing business, commercial real estate can become part of the long-term strategy for business longevity, providing stability, room to grow, and the opportunity to build equity.
But getting there takes planning.
Project Storefront is designed to make that process a little less intimidating and a lot more approachable. By bringing together local government, utilities, real estate professionals, and lending experts, the workshop gives Colorado Springs entrepreneurs the information and connections they need to take the next step with confidence.
If commercial real estate is somewhere on your business roadmap, this is a good place to start. Spots are limited. Register Now.
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Integrity, 13540 Meadowgrass Dr., Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Buying vs. leasing: Is ownership right for your business?
Leasing can be a great option for many businesses, particularly when flexibility is important or a business is still figuring out its long-term needs.
But ownership can offer some significant advantages, too.
Instead of making monthly lease payments toward someone else’s property, owning your commercial real estate can allow your business to build equity in an asset over time. It can also give you greater control over the space and, depending on the property and financing structure, create another long-term asset for your business.
Of course, buying isn’t automatically the right answer for every business. It’s a major investment, and there are costs beyond the purchase price to consider.
That’s why understanding your options is so important. In addition to Project Storefront, join our B:Side University session, Buying vs. Leasing: Unlocking Commercial Real Estate, on October 7th to hear from a panel of industry experts who will break down key factors such as upfront costs, financing, cash flow, flexibility, long-term investment, and overall business goals.