The Ohio Theatre owner Michael Bouson shared the challenges and triumphs his business has encountered at the new organization ‘1 Million Cups’ Wednesday morning.
Precious Grundy | The Lima News
LIMA — Often, a meeting where local entrepreneurs gather to connect or talk business is held over one cup of coffee. On Wednesday morning in Lima, such a meeting of the minds was held over one million cups. 1 Million Cups is a nationwide program with a branch in Lima that provides a space for entrepreneurs to get to know one another.
The Ohio Theatre was the first among the organizations in Lima to present to the group, sharing its struggles and successes. After COVID, Michael Bouson and Joe Correll looked across the United States to find the perfect place and decided to make Lima their home. The Ohio Theatre owners chose to invest in rehabilitating a theatre that held great history.
“We were so impressed that the community had supported that organization (ArtSpace/Lima) and actively engaged with the organization on a daily basis for so many years,” said Bouson. “We felt that with all the development at the time and continues to happen with the interest in the arts; this was a community we could thrive in and would support us. We were right.”
Bouson said following many meetings the organization received overwhelming support and guidance on how to get started. Bouson also shared the current state of the theatre.
”We need a lot of help,” said Bouson. “We are struggling, not going to lie. We are one bad week away from closing our doors. That is the first time I have said that out loud but it is the truth. Last week was the best week we have had since we opened so we are on an upturn.”
Those gathered quickly asked the question, ‘How can we help’. Bouson responded simply by inviting community members to come. The former producer said he was eager to join the community of Lima for this very reason. Bouson said businesses in Lima shared the same beliefs that he appreciated while working in New York: ‘we all succeed or none of us succeed’.
Local 1 Million Cups organizer Jermaine Harper said the focus is for businesses to present and pitch ideas, create connections and be ‘radically’ and ‘intentionally’ inclusive. The meetings are held once a week at 9 a.m. on Wednesday mornings at the Cambridge Center, 418 N. Central Ave. Each business (less than 5 years old) is asked to give a presentation of their business. Owners share who they are and what their business entails. The gathering is not limited to Lima residents. Organizers hope to gather with other business owners throughout the region.
For more information reach Jermain Harper at [email protected] or visit their website at www.1millioncups.com/present.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
