XENIA, Ohio – The City of Xenia is in the middle of a national competition that helps spotlight and makeover small businesses. 

Producers from “Small Business Revolution” are in Xenia this week, scouting potential businesses and cities for the reality show. 

The show will film its fifth season in the spring, but first needs to find a city. 

Initially, 6,000 cities across the U.S. were narrowed down to ten semi-finalists. Xenia made the final ten, but is hoping to get into the top five. Producers will select the five finalists, and then a public vote will take place in mid-January to determine the winner. 

If selected, six small businesses would be featured on the show. Deluxe produces the show and says on its website that the selected businesses “...win a $500,000 boost from Deluxe...”

The money can be used for a variety of services, such as upgrades to buildings, enhanced marketing, business strategy, and others. Experts help the businesses, which are featured in various episodes. 

The show is hosted by Ty Pennington and Amanda Brinkman and airs on Hulu. 

Melanie Thomas owns Gypsy Alley Boutique in downtown Xenia. She started her business three years ago in a pop-up alley shop. Now she has a storefront in a historic building. She thinks the reality show could help with marketing businesses. But she also thinks it could help her further her vision for her store. 

“What would be valuable to me would be to have help figuring out how to hire somebody and have the front end managed by somebody so that I can do what my true passion is, which is to help women get crafty and create things,” Thomas said. 

Thomas’ shop sells local items – many that she has personally made. It also features clothes.

“I created it from scratch. I just kind of winged it and said, ‘Alright, I’m doing this.” Everybody that I talked to in Xenia said ‘we need clothes.’”

Thomas said she’s yet to pay herself, but the business is progressing. She hopes the show and the already added help from other businesses and city leaders will continue the growth for a lot of shops in Xenia. 

“This is something that would help Xenia. Especially right now. We’re in a town where we are turning a new chapter into growth and revitalizing downtown.”

Airdates for season five have yet to be announced.