Four small business owners will each make a pitch at Wheeling Heritage’s Show of Hands event on June 29. The event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Artisan Center, 1400 Main Street, invites attendees to pay $5 to vote for the project they feel is the most worthwhile. The winning presenter will leave with about $4,000, including all the funds raised at the door, for his or her business expansion.

At the event, owners of the following businesses will be making presentations:

Chef N Company

Chef Adam Luiso, owner of Chef N Company, is building a small business that provides nourishing and delightful food the people of our community. Luiso’s goal is to provide clients with a culinary experience that encourages them to stay and eat local. Support from Show of Hands would help Luiso purchase catering supplies that are necessary for a successful and safe catering event.

Edgington Studio

Edgington Studio is changing the standard of apparel production, right here in Wheeling. Owner Emily Rouse and her team provide small batch apparel production through the use of local talent sourcing and partnerships.Rouse’s business is in a state of growth, and she is hoping Show of Hands can help support this growth by providing funds to purchase industrial machinery and improved work tables for her studio.

Table 304

Libbi Gramby, owner of Table 304 creates beautiful grazing boards for large and small events. Table 304 also operates a full service coffee shop with grab and go food options. One of the most popular items that Table 304 offers is their cheese spread, which Libbi makes in a small food processor that came from her home kitchen. Libbi is seeking support through Show of Hands to help upgrade to a commercial-grade food processor to increase her production efficiency. She also hopes to purchase small tasting glasses and flight boards to offer coffee flights in the shop.

Tito’s Catering

Tito’s Sloppy Doggs on Market Street is a popular breakfast and lunch destination for those living and working in Downtown Wheeling. Owner Christopher Burress wants to build on the success of his brick-and-mortar restaurant by offering catering services – a common request he receives from his customers. Show of Hands would provide funding to help Burress purchase new equipment that would keep large amounts of food at the proper temperature for large catering events.

Check out this video that the Wheeling Heritage Media Team created back in 2019:

This program is generously funded by several community sponsors. Orrick, the program’s corporate sponsor, donates $1,000 to each event. The Friends of Show of Hands, which consists of community members and business owners, contribute $250 to each event. Friends of Show of Hands include Dave and Beth Weaver of Wheeling Volkswagen & Subaru, Dr. and Mrs. Dan Joseph of Joseph Orthodontics, Brian Joseph of Touchstone Research Laboratory, Fuzz and Barb LaRue, H Lawrence Jones, Ed.D., Kennen & Kennen Realtors, Warwood Armature, Rabbi Joshua Lief and Rebecca Lief, Sikora Montessori and Will and Tracey Turani.

So far, Show of Hands has given more than $93,000 to support small businesses and projects in Wheeling.

About Wheeling Heritage
Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.