WHEELING - There won't be a party this time, but finalists have been named for the popular "Show of Hands" business competition that takes place on line this month.
Four small business owners each will each make videos explaining their plan to increase business, or to start new operations. The finalists are Making Magic, Table 304, Healthy Vibes For You and Mugshots.
In the past, a party has been held at the Wheeling Artisan Center, where each finalist would make their presentation in person.
This time, short videos of each participant will be produced by the Wheeling Heritage Media team and released on Oct. 26 on Wheeling Heritage's social media pages. The community can then view, share and vote online for the project they feel is most worthwhile through Nov. 1.
For a $5 minimum donation, viewers can cast their vote through Wheeling Heritage's website with 100 percent of the donations being awarded to the winner. The video with the most votes by the end of the voting period will receive a guaranteed prize of at least $4,000 for his or her business.
Show of Hands is organized by Wheeling Heritage, and the law firm of Orrick, Herrington. and Sutcliffe still will be the chief sponsors of the event.
Wheeling Heritage has released the following details about each business.
-- Making Magic is a full-service floral and event planning boutique located in Warwood. Owner Terri Jill Bonar provides unique, bespoke floral designs that turns the everyday into something extraordinary. As her new business continues to grow, Terri is working to open a brick-and-mortar store to expand her services, including offering craft and sip classes and small live entertainment events.
Due to COVID-19, progress on completing renovations has been delayed, along with experiencing significant revenue loss from canceled events. Winning Show of Hands would help open Making Magic's doors by providing funding to complete renovations and invest in a new POS system.
-- Table 304 elevates gatherings of all sizes across the Ohio Valley with grazing tables, boards and boxes. Elizabeth Grambly, owner of Table 304, creates each graze with an assortment of meats, cheese, fruits and vegetables styled to spark conversation and foster a sense of togetherness.
She started her business out of her home in December 2019, creating one-of-a-kind tables and boards during the holidays. Just as she was creating a formal business plan, it all came to a halt due to the pandemic.
During the last few months, Elizabeth has found that her smaller boards are a hit among folks hosting smaller celebrations at home. Money from a Show of Hands win would help Table 304 secure a kitchen space in downtown Wheeling that would also serve as a venue available to rent for meetings, showers, and other small events.
-- Healthy Vibes for You, located in Centre Market, is a nutrition club that has helped customers improve their wellbeing since 2017. Considered Wheeling's "healthy bar" among its regular customers, Healthy Vibes for You offers healthy shakes, wellness support and a community for folks interested in healthy living.
Like most small businesses, Healthy Vibes for You has experienced financial hardship in the last few months, especially since they rely so heavily on foot traffic from the bustling Center Market neighborhood. Owner Kahlie Wilson has adjusted to the changing times by offering call-ahead ordering and curbside pickup since April.
With Healthy Vibes for You slated for a grand re-opening on Thursday, a Show of Hands win would help Healthy Vibes for You restock their depleted inventory, invest in extra cleaning supplies to keep their employees and customers safe and enhance their point-of-sale system.
-- Mugshots is a coffee shop and eatery in downtown Wheeling striving to be a "third space" for the people who live and work in the greater Wheeling area.
Their doors opened just one week prior to West Virginia's state-wide stay at home order went into effect. This has forced Grant Coleman, owner of Mugshots, to make some tough decisions about safely proceeding with staying open for business and has stalled some of the original plans for their space.
Winning Show of Hands would help Mugshots purchase outdoor furniture for their soon-to-be-completed back deck and patio area overlooking Wheeling Heritage Port and the Ohio River.
Show of Hands is sure to be even more impactful this season due to the growing needs of small businesses who are struggling as a result of COVID-19. Orrick, the program's corporate sponsor, donates $1,000 for each event. The Friends of Show of Hands, which consists of community members and business owners, also contribute to each event. Current Friends of Show of Hands include Dave and Beth Weaver, Wheeling Volkswagen and Subaru; Dr. and Mrs. Dan Joseph, Joseph Orthodontics; Brian Joseph of Touchstone Research Laboratory; Fuzz and Barb LaRue; H. Lawrence Jones, Ed.D.; Kennen & Kennen Realtors; Warwood Armature; and two anonymous donors.
Follow Wheeling Heritage on Facebook and Instagram to watch the contestants' video presentations from Oct. 26 through Nov. 1. Voting will take place online at wheelingheritage.org.