Support Small, Local Businesses During Wheeling Restaurant Week
While people of the Ohio Valley are taking extra precautions to avoid large crowds and keep social circles small in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, community leaders are urging consumers to engage in an important opportunity to keep their dollars flowing while they remain close to home by supporting what’s at the heart of their hometown economy — small local businesses.
Although Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered restaurants Sunday night to close down dine-in availability, West Virginia has not yet taken those steps as of Monday. Even in Ohio, the governor urged the public to continue supporting these businesses by patronizing them through available options like carryout. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that people avoid crowds of 50 or more people. In that regard, there are many enticing opportunities being made available this week to support an array of unique, small-scale local eateries throughout the city of Wheeling while still complying with recommended social distancing restrictions.
The second annual Wheeling Restaurant Week kicks off today as a way to feature local cuisine and support local, small businesses.
Organized by the Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED), with the support of the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Wheeling Restaurant Week takes place today through Saturday. A total of 27 restaurants are participating in the event, offering something for everyone’s taste buds and everyone’s budget.
“My job is to support small businesses, and I’ve tried to find ways to bring more businesses to them,” said Valerie Piko, small business coordinator at RED, who organize Wheeling Restaurant Week along with Brooke Stull, RED operations coordinator. “This is a unique way to collectively help 27 restaurants at the same time.”
Piko said RED works to promote efforts like Small Business Saturday, which has proven to offer great opportunities for local boutiques and retail stores.
“We wanted to do something that helps local restaurants in the same way,” she said.
The goal of Wheeling Restaurant Week is to give the public a chance to experience the area’s dining landscape at affordable prices. RED reached out to locally owned restaurants to see if they wanted to participate by offering unique specials during the week to help promote their businesses.
“I really feel that food contributes to our culture here,” Piko said. “Our social lives revolve around food and going out to eat. I think we have so much variety. Wheeling restaurants really encompass the unique eats we have in this city.”
There are long-time local landmarks participating in Wheeling Restaurant Week, like Coleman’s Fish Market, Figaretti’s Restaurant, Undo’s Italian Restaurant, Abbey’s Restaurant and Lounge, The Bridge Tavern & Grill, Greco’s Italian Restaurant, and many more. There are also newer favorites like Vagabond Kitchen, The West Sports Bar, the Glassworks Grill and Ihlenfeld Dining Room at Oglebay’s Wilson Lodge and Good Mansion Wines participating. A number of local restaurants that may likely be very new to patrons are also participating, and those include should food like soul food from the P.T.’Z Lounge in Market Street Plaza, Rachel’s on 16th, River’s Edge, Tito’s Sloppy Doggs, Hangover BBQ, Pickles Eatery & Bar, Otey’s SmokeHouse and more.
Wheeling Restaurant Week gives these new businesses an opportunity to build awareness of their unique cuisine, and oftentimes, their unique atmosphere. The special event gives patrons an opportunity to try something new offered by places they’ve frequented for years.
“These businesses keep the money local,” Piko said. “They hire local people who are raising their families here. Small businesses often are the ones that support a lot of the community organizations and fundraisers that take place in the area. They’re sponsoring sports teams and events for our kids. They’re really engaged in our community, so it’s really important that we show them the same support.”
Money earned by these restaurants stays here and is put back into the local economy, Piko said.
“I would challenge everyone to at least pick out one restaurant on the list that you’ve never visited before, just so you can try something new and check out a new atmosphere,” she said. “And while you’re there, let them know that you’re new. I think these restaurants want to hear from people and want to hear more about what people are looking for. I would also challenge everyone to visit an old favorite that is offering something unique or new this week.”
Many participating restaurants offer carryout and even curbside pickup. Contact them for venue-specific information.
For a complete list of restaurants participating in Wheeling Restaurant Week and the specials they are offering, click here.