|Photo by Joselyn King| Jason Koegler, executive director of Grow Ohio Valley and its Public Market health food store, shows the check presented him after Public Market won the Show of Hands competition at the Wheeling Artisan Center Wednesday night. The event is sponsored by Wheeling Heritage.

WHEELING – Public Market wants to start a “smoothie revolution” in downtown Wheeling, and it will use its winnings from Show of Hands on Wednesday to juice up its offerings.

Public Market took home $4,436 as the victor in the Show of Hands business presentation competition Wednesday night at the Wheeling Artisan Center. The event is organized by Wheeling Heritage.

Jason Koegler, executive director of Grow Ohio Valley and its Public Market operation, said the money will be put toward purchasing a $5,000 juice machine for its store at 14th and Main streets.

Koegler explained the original intent of the Public Market was to address the “food desert” in the downtown – or the lack of availability of healthy food options.

Now it is looking to address the “smoothie desert” in Wheeling.

“So we put our heads together, and got our creative juices flowing,” Koegler continued. “Our idea is to start a smoothie bar that has the potential to revolutionize the health, wellness and happiness of our area.

“If you travel outside the area, smoothies are very popular.”

The drink is convenient as people become more busy and more health conscious, he added. Local products would be sourced to make the smoothies, according to Koegler.

“Our machine is not just a $5,000 juicer. It’s a game changer,” Koegler said.

He noted the “smoothie revolution” in Wheeling likely will begin when the Downtown Streetscape Project on Main Street ends, scheduled for sometime in late June or early July.

“We want to unveil this smoothie bar when Main Street is ready for action,” Koegler said. “We also want to add some outdoor seating at the same time.”

The Show of Hands competition consists of four presenters offering to a crowd their idea for a new business or business improvement, and those attending voting on which they think is the best investment.

Winners are guaranteed at least $4,000 by sponsors, with Orrick being the lead sponsor. Attendees pay $5, and receive both a ballot and dinner for their contribution. The amount collected at the door is added to the winner’s totals.

Others presenting in Wednesday’s contest were Autumn Dobbs, owner of Butter Me Up Cookies; Ashley Sutton, owner of Moonlight Intimate Apparel; and Travis McBride, owner of the Big Retro Game Shop.