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PrintLiving in Buckhannon
In North Central West Virginia, one friendly town offers more shopping, dining, entertainment, and history than you can fit in one day.
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Dining
You won’t go hungry in Buckhannon. From live music and burgers at All Burghers Pub to steak and seafood at The Station, there are mouth-watering options for everyone. And gathering over coffee and baked goods at Buckhannon’s charming coffee shop, The Daily Grind, is a perfectly delicious way to start or end any day.
Of course, you can’t go to Buckhannon without stopping at The Donut Shop, open 364 days a year (closed Christmas), 24 hours a day, since 1977. Famous for their glazed donuts, The Donut Shop bakes twice a day to keep up with sales. People 
also stand in line for homemade chili and sandwiches made fresh on bread baked by Janice Huffman, who’s been there since the shop opened out near Route 33.
On Main Street, in the back of The Book Store, Mike and Ann Alborano are keeping it fresh and local at The Market Bistro with a frequently changing menu that allows for a bevy of delectable blackboard specials. “We’ve got a tight relationship with the folks at the farmers’ market. We make everything from scratch. And we try to feature what’s in season,” says Mike, who believes that when it comes to sandwiches, it’s mostly about the homemade bread, not what’s inside. “Fresh, local, homemade—these are the things that take our menu to a whole different level,” he says, not to mention the soups, quiches, and desserts.
The Hometown Market on College Avenue also has a lot going on. The specialty foods store offers a full-service deli, gourmet chocolates, sushi Fridays, catering, and artisan demos, among other things. Locally owned and operated by Chef Morgan Ware and Bethany Long, the market supports West Virginia farmers and works hard to preserve the great artisan heritage of the Appalachians.
For a classic dining experience, plan a meal at the original C.J. Maggie’s. Located in a restored, century-old brick building on Main Street, the American grill serves 
up its famous hand-tossed wood-fired pizzas, humongous fresh-cut salads, unique sandwiches, authentic Tex-Mex, killer crab cakes, and more. The Americana décor and intimate high-back booths work together, C.J. says, “to create an environment that invites guests to sit and rest and converse for a while.”
A couple blocks down the street, 88 Restaurant & Lounge creates its own kind of atmosphere. Proprietress Kathleen Loughney says, “I hope people come here and get exactly the dining experience they are hoping for.” With options for intimate dining in the restaurant or a Cheers-like atmosphere in the lounge, it’s hard not to enjoy a great meal with favorites like the cheese plate, tuna, baked steak, and seafood, topped off with soups, salads, and signature desserts. “One thing that really sets 88 apart from other restaurants is that our clients really get a sense of West Virginia hospitality,” says prep chef Josh Perry.
Lodging
That hospitality carries over into The Bicentennial Inn, which houses 88 Restaurant & Lounge. This upgraded property between downtown Buckhannon and Wesleyan College affords its guests 48 comfortable rooms.
Next door, history buffs will treasure their stay at A Governor’s Inn Bed & Breakfast, a century-old red brick mansion built by West Virginia’s second governor, Daniel D.T. Farnsworth. With four guest rooms, two entertainment parlors, and a dining parlor in the main building and two suites in the neighboring guesthouse, there is plenty of room for everyone. “I never would have imagined when we started the bed and breakfast that we would be able to have such a global draw, but we’ve hosted guests from every state and more than 47 countries,” says owner Jerry Henderson. “One night on our front porch, we had a husband and wife from Russia, a business man from Buenos Aires, a few business people from Denmark, and a gentleman from Wisconsin. It was like a mini-United Nations!”
Another charming option is the Riverside Bed & Breakfast situated a couple minutes from downtown on a peninsula in the river. The spacious house was restored to its historical glory and boasts original floors and woodwork, large pocket doors, and an original bathroom with pedestal bathtub. All three guest rooms are on the second floor, and hosts Linda and Steve Smith serve a full breakfast, including Belgian waffles, pancakes, and homemade breads, that can’t be beat.
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Founded in 1890, Wesleyan College is a liberal arts residential college with a population of approximately 1,400 students studying in 43 majors, 36 minors, and four graduate programs. President Pam Balch says, “At Wesleyan, we are intentional about integrating service with academics. Our faculty continue to write grants so students have the opportunity to work directly with them on research projects. We work each day to be on the cutting edge of technology. As an academically rigorous school, we have great post-graduation placement rates.”
Known for its immaculate grounds and gorgeous Georgian architecture, the Wesleyan campus is open to visitors, community members, students, and faculty alike. The college strives to cultivate a relationship with Buckhannon, bringing cultural opportunities to the community, and appeals to students from West Virginia and beyond with leadership opportunities in student government, international travel programs, more than 70 clubs and organizations, 19 NCAA Division II athletic teams, a flourishing Greek life, and an intramural and outdoor recreation program featuring seven intramural sports, snow skiing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing.
Balch says, “We hope Wesleyan becomes a ‘home among the hills’ for our students.”
More information about Buckhannon is available by calling 304.473.1400.
