Our production team is following a rather unusual contest.  We interviewed and filmed several finalists for the "Business of the Year" top torch awards for Oregon and Washington for the Better Business Bureau.  One of the finalists in Western Washington stood out while we were taping the interview.  Kim Farnes who owns "Around the Corner Cafe' in Orting Washington was a rare find.

Her connection to the community through her successful restaurant, creativity and passion in her interview was indeed inspirational.  It was no surprise to us that the judges from the Better Business Bureau had awarded Kim and Carl, "Small Business of the Year" for 2007.  What became a surprise however - was a follow up phone call I received a few months later from Kim Farnes.  Kim explained she had decided to give away her popular Cafe' in a writing and essay contest.  She asked if we would be interested in filming this unique story.  We immediately accepted.  It's one of those paying it forward - once in a blue moon - opportunities we love to witness.  How this works:

A popular and award winning Cafe' that's home to many, will be awarded to the person with the passion in an essay contest. Inspired by Oprah's Big Give shows, Cafe' owners Kim Farnes and Carl Scanson who are winners of the Better Business Bureaus 2007 top Torch award for "Small Business of the Year" in Western Washington, have decided to give away their award winning business, in an essay contest. Around the Corner Cafe, located in Orting, Washington - is known as a country style "Cheers". It is a place where everybody knows your name and a place where the owners and employees are glad they do. The winner of this essay contest will receive the turnkey, revenue producing business which includes the Cafe's famous recipes, the inventory and equipment, stock on hand, a five year lease at $2,000 per month which is significantly reduced from market rate, the first 6 months rent free and 6 months mentoring from the current Cafe' owners and instant take home pay for the new owner! The estimated value of this package is somewhere between $400 - 500,000. The entry fee money will be held in trust.

The Cafe atmosphere is quirky and energetic. Hungry folks stream in from the moment the doors open at 6:30 a.m. until closing time at 9 p.m. There's a lot of hustle and bustle as orders are placed for hearty breakfast meals. Most plates are completely covered with good old fashioned mega-style servings. People don't mind waiting in line either. Around the Corner Cafe is a place where friends gather, share laughs, tell fishing stories and celebrate holidays and special events together. The cafe has a great mix of people, from all walks of life. And it seems this is just the way everybody likes it. The diverse menu inspires, the diverse crowd. You'll see hummers, harley's and high profiles -- all-alike waiting for the same thing - a good meal. Sometimes cafe' customers will challenge each other to the cafe's next Hobo King - named rightly so, after finishing the hobo-hash plate of 9 eggs, 3 pounds of potatoes and all the fixings! Around the Corner Cafe' resembles a hip-country Cheers.  After all, it's a place where everybody knows your name. And it's this great mix, that makes the mark! The cafe serves roughly 200 people per week-day and several hundred people per day, each week-end. 

For additional information on the contest - log on to http://www/onespecialcontest.com

Sharon Safley, executive producer

One Special Dream