Don’t forget your camera if you visit Galesburg’s newest museum.
The Galesburg Selfie Museum is a new business being brought forward by local residents GoGo Kupa and her husband Yannick Kapita. Located in the former National Guard Armory at 149 N. Broad St., the Selfie Museum is a destination type activity where patrons pay admission to a facility that hosts a number of staged sets. The patrons can then take fun selfie photos with their friends in these sets.
Kupa tells WGIL it’s a concept from similar businesses she’s visited in larger cities, including Chicago.
“It’s a place where people can come and create content,” Kupa said. “We’ll have several backdrops for any occasion — it could be a birthday or any happy event. People can just come and take pictures, or they can request a special backdrop.”
Kupa said the Galesburg Selfie Museum also will offer a small venue that can be used for celebrations, conferences or any special occasion.
“When it’s holiday season, we just want a place where we can go take family pictures,” Kupa said. “And there’s nothing like that in Galesburg.”
Galesburg Selfie Museum to have themed sets
Galesburg Selfie Museum will have themed sets for birthdays and other holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
Kupa and Kapita are from Democratic Republic of the Congo and have resided in Galesburg for four years.
“We are from Congo, and by creating this, it’s a way for us to say, ‘hey, you can do something. If we did it, you can do it,’” Kupa said.
“Friends and family say there’s nothing to do in Galesburg. There’s nowhere to go. I tell them, if there’s nothing, why don’t you create something? This is our way to create something that creates happiness in the community.”
Kupa and Kapita also own another business in Galesburg— Gyann Event planning. Gyann Event offers planning and design for events such as a wedding, anniversary, baby shower or graduation.
The Selfie Museum will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Kupa said she hopes the museum will be open before Christmas.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “This is a dream for me.”
Cost to utilize the Galesburg Selfie Museum will be $28 per person, per hour. There is no charge for children ages 12 and under, accompanied by an adult.
Owners receive Women/Minority Startup Assistance
Gorette Kupa is receiving $10,000 from the Women/Minority Startup Assistance Program offered by the City of Galesburg in partnership with the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development.
“KCAP really enjoyed working with GoGo on her new business and we are grateful to see the City approve her startup funding,” said KCAP President Ken Springer. “The Galesburg Selfie Museum is going to be a new fun activity for young people and families and will offer residents a truly different kind of experience. I hope everyone joins us in supporting this creative new business.”
So far, nine businesses have successfully obtained funding from the new City of Galesburg programs. Those are:
- Therapy for Positive Aging
- Dame Fine Coffee
- All Star Sports Academy
- Opie’s Bar and Grill
- MBs Food Truck
- Haynes Beauty, LLC
- Lavender Lotus Yoga Studio
- Galesburg Selfie Museum
- Malley Foods, LLC
Springer said the new business programs created by the City have been popular, noting a team works behind the scenes to implement the new tools. Besides KCAP’s involvement, there is a volunteer review committee that consists of commercial bankers, small business owners and City staff that review all applications prior to those applications going to City Council for final approval.
In addition, Steve Gugliotta with the City’s Community Development Department prepares the grant agreement documentation and he works closely with the grant recipients to disburse funds once each business gets approval from the City.
“Last but certainly not least, special recognition should be given Jim Boyd with the Small Business Development Center at Western Illinois University,” Springer said. “Jim has helped a number of our new businesses create their business plans and financial materials and he has been a tremendous resource in this endeavor.
“I want to thank the entire team for their hard work bringing these new programs to life and for helping area residents launch their dream businesses.”
