Nicholas County, WV (WOAY) – Throughout Summersville, new storefronts are opening their doors to local customers. Tiffany Hypes, Executive Director with the Summersville Area Chamber of Commerce says this momentum is something to celebrate.
“It’s really exciting for our community. Small businesses create jobs. They support our local economy and they are the heart of our town. They support schools, sports events and community events,” said Hypes. “We are excited to support them every step of the way.”
Downtown at 402 Church Street, Backpacks 4 Veterans has set up shop, distributing backpacks filled with toiletries and supplies to VA hospitals across West Virginia. According to Stephen Postalwait, President of Backpacks 4 Veterans, its a mission that started small and is growing every day.
“It was actually just something I wanted to start in my church. We actually started with a goal of ten bags, and we’re up to over 500 bags now,” said Postalwait. “I just wanted to start something because I knew there were homeless veterans living on the street and I thought a backpack would be something that would help them while they’re transitioning to get housing.”
Also in downtown at 506 Court Street, By His Grace Christian Bookstore is open for business. The family owned shop carries bibles, devotionals, and handmade goods. For part-owner Chelsea Hess, the store represents something truly personal.
“My dad was diagnosed with cancer last spring, and so he was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. And he just felt like the Lord was leaving him to open up this place for us to spread the love of God with everybody that we possibly could,” said Hess.
At the Summersville Regional Medical Facility, Appalachian Coffee Express recently opened, offering locally roasted coffee to busy hospital workers on the go.
Cole Gilkeson, Manager of Appalachian Coffee Express, says they’re excited to fill a gap left at the hospital after COVID.
“We wanted to come here because we wanted to support the hospital. There was a coffee shop here before and then after COVID, they had to vacate,” Gilkeson explained. “We decided to come back because the hospital kind of had requested us to, they wanted something and we were very happy to be able to come in and serve all the doctors and nurses and even the community outside as well.”
