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OnWashington Entrepreneur Contest Returns to South Norwalk: Win a Free One-Month Pop-Up Space

Norwalk, CT —AGW SONO Partners has announced the return of its OnWashington Entrepreneur Contest, now entering its fourth year. Produced by the collective’s OnWashington marketing arm, the annual competition invites entrepreneurs to pitch original business concepts for the opportunity to win a free one-month pop-up commercial space in the Washington Street Historic District in South Norwalk.



The contest continues AGW SONO Partners’ mission of activating underutilized spaces and transforming them into vibrant community destinations. By spotlighting local talent and lowering the barrier to entry for small businesses, the initiative allows entrepreneurs to test new ideas while contributing to the evolving energy of Washington Street. AGW SONO Partners manages 27 properties along the corridor, encompassing restaurants, retail, office space, and lifestyle services, and launched the OnWashington brand to support tenants while promoting Washington Street as a unified destination.

Last year’s contest attracted more than 30 submissions from local entrepreneurs, with concepts ranging from antique and floral shops to health and beauty brands, fitness studios, cafés, and photography spaces. Previous winners include The Art Annex, which operated as a gallery supporting local artists, and Eco Evolution, founded by sustainability advocate “Eco Dude” Brad Kerner. Eco Evolution’s pop-up at 135 Washington Street was so successful that it transitioned into a long-term lease and remains in operation today.


Entrepreneurs selected as finalists will pitch their concepts to the AGW SONO Partners and OnWashington teams. The 2026 contest winner will receive a one-month pop-up opportunity on Washington Street, providing a real-world environment to test products, engage customers, gather feedback, and refine operations. Ideal

concepts include — but are not limited to — fitness studios, gift shops, clothing boutiques, media studios, food markets, galleries or artist collectives, salons, and music schools.


“We’re looking for an enthusiastic entrepreneur with a progressive concept and a thoughtful business plan,” says Linda Kavanagh, Director of OnWashington. “Our South Norwalk portfolio continues to attract fresh ideas and talented business owners who are re-energizing the street for locals and visitors alike.”

“Since acquiring the Washington Street portfolio, our goal has been to establish the Historic District as a premier destination to live, work, and play,” said Adam Greenbaum, Managing Partner of AGW SONO Partners. “We’re proud to offer this opportunity and excited to support local entrepreneurs as they bring new ideas to life.”


SUBMISSION DETAILS

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee led by OnWashington and AGW SONO Partners. Submissions should include:

1. Entrepreneur profile/background

2. Concept overview (visuals, samples, or examples encouraged)

3. Branding deck

4. Marketing plan

5. Projected financials (optional)


Submission deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026

In-person interviews:  First two weeks of March 2026

Winner announced: Monday, March 16, 2026

Space occupancy: TBD (location and terms to be determined by AGW SONO Partners)

Apply here:  https://bit.ly/onwashbiz2026

More information: https://onwashingtonst.com/


OnWashington Entrepreneur Contest Returns to South Norwalk: Win a Free One-Month Pop-Up Space
January 26, 2026
Run, Walk, and Repeat to Win Prizes! What: A Burrito League is a fun, community-based challenge centered around running (or walking) a set route that is defined and counted on strava Participants complete the same route at their own pace, on their own schedule at any time for the week of the competition The route is tracked through the Strava App (free!) and every participant is recognized—no experience required You earn prizes just for participating, with extra rewards for the top female and top male participants It’s about movement, friendly competition, free burritos, and supporting local businesses Whether you walk it or run it, once or go all in, everyone’s part of the league When: Start: Saturday, January 24 at 9:00 am End: Saturday, January 31 at 5:00 pm Where: The route begins and ends at New York Comedy Club Stamford 230 Tresser Blvd Stamford, CT 06901 Prizes: Winner Prize x 2 (Male and Female) 1 Year of burritos from Masa Taco Bar ($400 gift card = 2/mo) 1 Year of VIP Golden Ticket Membership to New York Comedy Club Stamford 1 Free entry to Stamford Run Club's 5K race in April 3 Passes to Hideout Sauna Club to experience social sauna and cold plunges 1 T-shirt of your choice from Hey Stamford! Additionally, all participants will receive discounts from each partnered sponsor. Track it on the Strava App Segment Here: Stamford Burrito League Register here at any time during the challenge for discounts and prize eligiblity: Register Now Questions? Email Gabe at gabe@newyorkcomedyclub.com . Partnered Sponsors: BURRITO LEAGUE : What started in Tempe, Arizona as a grassroots alternative to a discontinued corporate challenge has grown into a decentralized movement of local Burrito Leagues, each organized independently but united by a shared love of repetition, consistency, and connection with your local community. burrito-league.com CITY GIRLS WHO WALK : City Girls Who Walk Stamford is a women-led community based in Stamford, CT, focused on bringing women together through intentional movement, connection, and real-life friendship. What started as monthly group walks has grown into a welcoming space that hosts walks, workout classes, social events, and community meetups designed to support both physical and mental well-being. CGWW is about showing up as you are, moving your body in a way that feels good, and building genuine connections with other women in the city. instagram.com/citygirlswhowalk_stamford RUNNERS COLLECTIVE : Runners Collective is a social athletic run club that was founded in June 2024 to combat loneliness in our community through social and physical events. Through our Saturday runs and curated social events, we thrive ourselves in acting as a third place away from home and work where individuals can create new and unforgettable memories. The goal was always to make moving our bodies fun again while creating genuine connections! instagram.com/rnrs.cltv MASA TACO BAR : Masa Taco Bar is a reflection not only of our love for Mexican culture and tacos, but also a reflection of our passion for cooking and desire to bring loved ones together around a table over great food and drink and it all goes back 30 years to 1995. masatacobar.com NEW YORK COMEDY CLUB STAMFORD : New York Comedy Club Stamford opened in February 2023 at Stamford Town Center and has been going strong ever since. The 240-seat venue follows in the tradition of our three NYC locations, the first of which opened more than 35 years ago. With our Stamford location, we remain dedicated to the work, to the talent, to the community, and to preserving the exhilarating “anything can happen” vibe that is unique to live comedy. Grab a seat and bucket of popcorn and get ready to laugh. stamford.newyorkcomedyclub.com HEY STAMFORD! : Hey Stamford! is the premier guide for people seeking what’s new in food and entertainment in the City of Stamford. We cover local businesses, people, issues, and lifestyles related to Stamford. Constantly looking for what’s genuine, unique and next, we deliver inspiration every day to locals who have come to count on us – the urban explorers, the fun seekers, the trend spotters. With updates daily, you won’t miss a beat! heystamford.com HIDEOUT SAUNA CLUB : Hideout Sauna Club is Stamford’s first Social Sauna Club, featuring a 16 person communal sauna, a heated igloo with 3 cold plunges, and a lush garden lounge. It’s a healthy place to hangout, heat up and cool down. We provide contrast therapy, the 2026 health trend of the year, all to the rhythm of good music, good convo, and a good vibe. Come in, to come alive. hideoutsocial.club STAMFORD RUN CLUB Stamford Run Club was built on the belief that running is better when it brings people together. What started as a small group has grown into a diverse and welcoming community of runners of all paces and backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to movement, consistency, and connection. We pride ourselves on being more than just a run club; we’re a space where beginners feel supported, experienced runners stay challenged, and friendships are built mile by mile. instagram.com/stamford.runclub
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