Community

Latest ‘Conquer The Cones’ Winner Selected

WHEELING - Another Wheeling resident has "conquered the cones" by eating at downtown Wheeling restaurants hindered by outside construction, and his culinary effort has won him $1,000.

Representatives from Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration and Paree Insurance met at Heritage Port Wednesday to draw the winner for the third round of the "Conquer the Cones," which challenges patrons to dine at downtown eateries.

The name on the winning card selected was William Stahnke.

Paree Insurance sponsored the third round of the contest, and the next round is to be sponsored by the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Those participating in the contest visit downtown restaurants and have their card stamped after making a purchase. If they obtain six stamps over a three-month period, the participant submits their card for the seasonal drawing.

Panhandle originated the idea as a way to assist restaurants whose business was being hindered by streetscape construction on Main and Market Streets.

Robert Heldreth, vice president of marketing for Panhandle, reported about 200 cards were submitted for the third round of entries - less than there were for the first two rounds.

"We've got to get more people interested because work is still going on," he continued. "Main Street is looking great, but Market Street is a disaster.

"I know folks are eating lunch. Ask your server for a card. You have to eat at six restaurants out of the 12, and you're entered into winning $1,000 from the Wheeling CVB next quarter."

Heldreth suspects "a lot of people just forget, or they get busy."

"It's $1,000. It's a good prize if people remember to get their card stamped," he said.

Chris Bucon, co-owner of Paree Insurance, said he has downtown business clients who have voiced the struggle of doing business downtown amid the streetscape project.

"Bob Heldreth and Panhandle came up with this idea, and I called Bob and said we wanted to be a part of it," he said. "We all want a beautiful, vibrant, hustle and bustle downtown. I think we're getting there and heading in the right direction.

"For now, we all need to chip in and help out the businesses down here and get them to that finish line."

Michael Biela, marketing assistant with the Wheeling CVB, explained the bureau's mission is to bring visitors into the downtown area.

"And of course while they are here, they are going to want to find somewhere to eat," he said. "With the construction winding down in the downtown, there are still businesses that need the support.

"This is an opportunity for us to highlight those downtown businesses that are suffering a bit from the construction, and hope that people take advantage of this incentive and support those businesses."

Participating businesses include Avenue Eats, DiCarlo's Pizza, Elle & Jack's, Mugshots, Panda Chinese Kitchen, Public Market, River City, Taqueria 304, The Bridge Tavern, Tito's, Table 304 and the Vagabond Kitchen.