Proposal

Description of the Project
While the city of Columbus is no stranger to large corporations and business chains, it has still retained much of its character in small, locally owned businesses and crafts. I am interested in what these local hotspots have to offer the culture and people of Columbus that cannot be found in a Starbucks or a Wal-Mart. It seems that there are several things that a local business provides the public, such as high quality goods, devoted service, a strong sense of community, and various charity or social activities they may participate in to give back to the area in which they are located.
These are all things that first come to mind when talking about small business. A more focused question for this project, then, is how have these local places that were created from little to nothing become so successful and managed to stay afloat in the increasingly competitive Columbus market? Why have some individuals been able to find a place in this market while others have not? Additionally, how do these small business owners maintain their traditional sense of community, hospitality, and quality as their trade becomes larger and larger? To explore these questions, I will be looking at either (or both) the shop Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams owned by Jeni Britton Bauer and/or the restaurants Betty’s, Surly Girl Saloon, and Tip Top, all of which are under the same ownership. These business operations have both become somewhat of a chain and have managed to be considerably popular. Jeni’s began as a small ice cream stand in the North Market several years ago that prided itself on unique flavors and fine quality ice cream. Since then, this business has expanded to include two spacious shops in Grandview and the Short North. All of its locations have become places to which people flock to enjoy some tasty dessert and pleasant conversation. Similarly, the restaurants Betty’s and Surly Girl have become icons in the Short North for their cozy, neighborhood hotspot atmosphere and delicious comfort food. These places have become an important part of the local culture in their respective areas, and they are places that many people identify as great spots to hang out in for some relaxed and trendy fun. I want to explore how the owners of these businesses have kept up with the growth of their industry and how they were able to thrive.
I plan to use video for this project to portray these places, their owners and their loyal patrons and to examine the questions stated above. Other members of my group will look at different small businesses and the stories behind them, as well as non-profit groups that have formed to provide a place for other entrepreneurs and craftsmen who have not been able to have such success.
Audience of the Project
I envision the audience of this project being Columbus residents as well as people who do not live in the area. For people familiar with Columbus and these places, I hope to show the struggle that goes into maintaining a successful small business in this city and emphasize the importance of the role that locally owned places play in the community. I see this project as giving outsiders of Columbus a sense of the local culture and charm of the city, particularly through these local establishments, as well as a sense of the difficulties that even the most skilled entrepreneurs can face within the Columbus marketplace.