Photo by Niamh Coomey Mother and daughter Valerie Mamula (right) and Stacey Creely pose for a photo in front of Valley Cheese Co., where they just picked up a holiday cheese board for Thanksgiving.

Wheeling’s historic Centre Market was buzzing with holiday spirit Wednesday as people prepared for Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays.

Some, like Tina Marking, were spending the day running errands and prepping for a big feast and celebration with her family. Marking had just picked up a pumpkin cheesecake she ordered in advance from American Pies and Pastries in the Centre Market, one of her favorite dessert spots, she said.

“I ordered this so I don’t have to make it, so that’s done,” she said with a laugh. “I’m going to the cheese shop to pick up some baklava and just running around town then I’m going home and getting ready for tomorrow.”

On Thanksgiving, she will be hosting her family of about 15. She said they don’t have any specific traditions for this holiday, the best part is simply spending time with them.

“We’re together and we eat and laugh and joke and play and watch football, that’s about it,” she said.

But as far as eating goes, the traditional dinner is her favorite.

“I love the turkey, the stuffing and the mashed potatoes and gravy, that’s my favorite. You could keep everything else and I’ll eat just that,” Marking said.

Others were just people watching amid the holiday chaos and soaking up the Christmas decorations and lively environment, like Jay DiProsperis of Martins Ferry.

DiProsperis was having a leisurely lunch on his way home at Michael’s Beef House, a regular stop for him. DiProsperis, surrounded by wreaths and Christmas decorations, said he grew up in Wheeling and used to be a school mascot for Triadelphia High School.

Next door at Valley Cheese Co., mother and daughter duo Stacey Creely and Valerie Mamula were preparing for the big holiday as well, and had just picked up a cheese board. Valley Cheese was their favorite place for a holiday charcuterie spread, Creely said. Their next stop was Casa Di Vino to get some bottles of wine to pair with it.

Creely said her husband has four days off from his nuclear power job, which he travels frequently for. He is currently on his way back to Wheeling from Michigan, she said. When he gets home he will be smoking the big Thanksgiving turkey.

“He will be home for the holidays so I’m really excited about that,” Creely said.

Mamula said she would be picking up fish sandwiches at Coleman’s Fish Market for her and her husband for dinner on her way out.

Coleman’s was bustling with activity, and decked out with a Christmas tree and wreaths. The line remained long for all of the lunch hour as people picked up ingredients for their Thanksgiving meals and enjoyed a meal out before hunkering down for the holiday.

Other area businesses were seeing lots of holiday foot traffic as well, like the Market Cafe another door down.

Jenny Showalter, a manager at the cafe, said they recently released their holiday drink specials and business has been booming as the holidays grow near.

“Oh, gosh, we’re packed. We were packed all night last night and all day today,” she said.

For Thanksgiving, Showalter said she will be following her tradition of gathering with her family, all hailing from Wheeling and St. Clairsville, for a meal. After, they will get the “elf on the shelf” set up for her kids ahead of Christmas.

“I always go to my mom’s house and celebrate with my family and my kids and then we’ll get the elf out tonight,” she said.

The cafe was filled with festively dressed shoppers enjoying warm drinks, soups and sandwiches.