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WHEELING -- The first Show of Hands competition set for 2024 features a competition between doughnuts, Belgian waffles, barbeque and mental health services.
Wheeling Heritage has announced the participants for the next Show of Hands event, set for 6 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Wheeling Artisan Center. For the past 10 years, Wheeling Heritage has been organizing Show of Hands, a business presentation competition.
"With this being our 10th year, we want to celebrate the festive nature of the event and that milestone," said Alex Panas, program manager for Wheeling Heritage.
The organization has awarded more $123,000 over the past decade, she added.
The Jan. 31 event will include the showing of a video looking back at past accomplishments, and past winners are being invited back to talk about how businesses have grown as the result of Show of Hands.
"And there will be a few more surprises you will have to come to experience" Panas said.
Members of the public pay $5 to attend the event, which includes dinner. They also receive a ballot on which to vote as part of admission.
Each of the four participants will make a presentation to the audience telling of an idea for their business for which they need funding. Attendees then vote on which project best needs funding. The winner receives all money collected at the door, as well as guaranteed $4,000 from event sponsors. Orrick, is the program's corporate sponsor.
Representatives from the following businesses have been selected to make presentations:
∫ Euphoric Doughnuts: Euphoric Doughnuts is a luxury doughnut shop "whose mission is to provide customers with a culinary experience by blending the finest ingredients with creative flair to produce exquisite and unforgettable doughnuts"
Owner Cameron Mitchell currently sells his doughnuts at pop-up events and select days at Table 304, but he is actively working towards opening a doughnut shop at 167 16th St. in East Wheeling. Funding from Show of Hands would go towards his ongoing building renovation.
∫ Hangover BBQ: For more than five years, Hangover BBQ has been a staple for those looking for delicious BBQ. In addition to perfectly-smoked meats, Hangover BBQ also offers an array of homemade side dishes and BBQ sauces, craft ice cream sandwiches, and West Virginia-brewed kombucha.
While owners Stephanie and Billy Litman have seen plenty of success through the years, their location on GC&P Road places them somewhat off the beaten path. Through Show of Hands, the Litmans hope to purchase new signage and pursue enhanced marketing opportunities for their business.
∫ The Belgian Waffle Shop: Downtown Wheeling's newest business takes an artisanal approach to a classic treat. Owner Tara Kobasko and her team create mouthwatering Belgian and bubble waffles topped with ice cream and a variety of sweet toppings.
Shortly after opening her doors in September 2023, the block of Market Street in front of The Belgian Waffle Shop was closed for construction, making it difficult for customers to get to her shop.
Through Show of Hands, Tara hopes to secure funding to invest in new commercial-grade waffle irons and marketing to help spread the word about her new business.
∫ The Process: The Process, located at 1600 National Road., is a private practice that offers individual mental health services to the community. Owner and licensed therapist Heather Ryan opened her solo practice in 2017. Since then, The Process has grown to include a team of five therapists, an administrative and billing specialist, and two interns who will soon become full-time therapists. Her practice currently serves over 1,300 people in our community, and she hopes to expand services to help reach even more people in need.
Through Show of Hands, Ryan is seeking funding for a new SMART movement room and group therapy room. This expansion would allow The Process to offer adult-based group therapy, as well as provide services tailored to adolescents and teenagers - a commonly underserved population.
"We are so excited to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Show of Hands," said Scott Schenerlein, executive director at Wheeling Heritage. "This program has been transformative for so many local businesses. We owe a huge thank you to Orrick and our Friends of Show of Hands who have kept this program in operation for all these years."