1
Alternatives
Volume 8 Issue 1
Fall 2001
Gearing up for the
holiday season is a big
deal for most retail stores
this time of year. But for
Showcase West Vir-
ginia, the holiday season
marks the first anniver-
sary of an idea turned
reality. Located at the
Charleston Town Center
Mall, and owned and
operated by the Center
for Economic Options
(CEO), Showcase West
Virginia is a consignment-
based retail outlet for the
state’s microbusiness
owners.
CEO has a long history
helping owners of very
small businesses locate and access markets for their products.
In fact, many microbusiness owners cite lack of market
access as the greatest barrier they face in running their busi-
ness. When Kay Kingery, owner of Dark Hollow Foods,
approached CEO with an opportunity to establish a retail
presence at the Town Center Mall during the 2000 holiday
shopping season, the Center recognized the potential.
“One microbusiness working alone would have a hard
time being successful in a shop at the mall,” stated Pam
Curry, executive director. “Through our network, CEO was
able to bring the opportunity to access the holiday market to
over 50 businesses in a matter of weeks.” Showcase West
Virginia was originally conceived as a three-month pilot
project and was scheduled to close December 31, 2000.
However, response to the store was overwhelmingly positive,
and a week before the scheduled close, CEO decided to
keep the doors open.
“We know that being entrepreneurial means taking risks
CEO hits the mark with Showcase West Virginia
now and then,” said Curry.
“We went into Showcase
West Virginia knowing
little about consignment-
based retail operations, but
learned quickly.” By March
of 2001, Showcase West
Virginia was stocked with
products from 100
microbusinesses, and it
was becoming clear the
shop needed to expand. In
May, CEO moved
Showcase West Virginia
into a 2,000 foot space
and held a grand opening
celebration on June 20th -
West Virginia Day. Today,
Showcase West Virginia is
stocked with the product
lines of over 180 businesses a