Kevin McDonough

“Taking Care of Business” (9 tonight, TLC) offers a smart variation on the tired — and, to my mind, tiresome — makeover reality genre. While shows like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “Trading Spaces” offer individuals new looks and enhanced attitudes, “Taking” offers survival tips for struggling small business on the brink of disaster.

In the debut episode, the panel of experts — including a publicist, retail designer, management expert and millionaire entrepreneur — examine the prospects for the survival of The Microchip Cafe in Brooklyn, N.Y. Founded in 2000, the cafe lost most of its Internet business to home users as high-speed access became ubiquitous. To compensate, they offered a hodgepodge of services, including computer repair, gaming and snacks. Along the way, the owners lost focus and confused customers.

After a quick tour, the “Taking Care of Business” team offers some tough love and expensive suggestions. The cafe closes for renovations for three days and reopens with a whole new look and business plan. While initial results are positive, not all of the experts believe that The Microchip Cafe will survive the long haul.