Which way do you cross process - film in E-6, or chrome in C-41? Like many folks, I haven't shot or developed chrome in years, and it's been a little over a year for film. I'm not sure if E-6 can be done locally anymore. I used Slide Service International a lot in the past, but they went the way of cassette tapes. If you can find someone to xpro for you, it will have to be with chrome, because I just don't think anyone runs E-6 anymore. Then there's the issue if they will run it. Most labs think the process damages the chemistry. In small amounts it's fine, but lab owners generally don't like to do it. Kodachrome in C-41 flakes apart and is a big problem, but Kodachrome's no longer produced. If there's any out there, it's old stock.
I tried to reach Photographic Techniques to see if they hand process, and they closed at 5:00 today. Here's a link if you want to give them a try. http://www.manta.com/c/mm27c6s/photographic-techniques . They were the choice of many professionals in the day, and their work was very good, but I'm sad to say I haven't called on them for years.
You may want to do some digging at CCAD and see if any students are willing to hand process. Hand processing color (E-6 or C-41) is such a temperature and time critical process, not anywhere near as forgiving as b&w. A few degrees can really mess you hard work up, so it's truly a gamble outside of a commercial lab.
Your idea of an artisan camera shop and lab with used equipment, some vintage, is intriguing. There's little to no money in DSLRs, but there's certainly wiggle room with accessories and used bodies. We have a large student base to tap into with CCAD, OSU, Columbus State and Otterbein, and of course Fort Hayes. In addition, so many creative types live within minutes of the Short North that would find this kind of shop intriguing as well. But will the community support a business like this? Artisan anything tends to be pricy, so there definitely needs to be a supporting market out there. It's a lot of investment and a few years of little to no profit for the owner, but a little market research could show a reasonable demand.
You would have loved the old Don McAlister camera location on Lane Ave that most recently was a Ritz Camera Center. I worked for the chain in the late 80's and early 90's, and this was their main store with everything under the sun, and had a really good lab as well. McAlister was eventually choked out by an overaggressive Cord Camera, who themselves fell victim of over-expansion and the rapidly expanding digital market. Their 5th Ave location was once an awesome store, not so much anymore. They are a much smaller chain than before, and offer less products and services. I think they may be out of receivership, not sure. Midwest Photo is the choice of local pros today for new gear, and Columbus Camera Group in the old church had a lot of interesting used pieces that are fun to rummage through.
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