Ashland Company Store Opens

            Are you looking for a handmade rocking chair, candles, lotion or jewelry?  Do you             want to purchase products made in West Virginia or McDowell County?  Residents and             tourist now have the opportunity to make these purchases in the Ashland Company               Store.
              The Ashland Company Store is one of the only former coal company stores in West             Virginia that has gone back to the original use as a retail store.  The difference is that this             store, unlike the traditional coal company store, is not owned by the coal company. 
              The store will be used as a multi-purpose facility to include an approved shared use             kitchen, Coal Camp Café restaurant, business incubator to support local entrepreneurs,             computer lab, three rental offices and the headquarters for Travel Beautiful Appalachia,             Inc. (TBAI).
              TBAI is a non-profit organization with the mission to create economic development for             the unemployed and under-employed in McDowell, Wyoming and Mercer counties.              Through “Business Assets” training course there will be training and one-on-one support             to local entrepreneurs.
              Jay Chatman, TBAI Director, and Becky Abel, TBAI Program Coordinator, have been             meeting with local entrepreneurs to view and purchase their products for sale in the             Ashland Company Store.  Mr. Chatman stated, “We are looking for products developed             by local entrepreneurs in order to give them exposure to more markets.  We have been             successful in locating wood, painted, crocheted and quilted products in McDowell County.              I am amazed to find the talent and quality of products that are produced within our area.”
              The Ashland Company Store is located near the new KOA Campground and the future             McDowell County Hatfield-McCoy trailhead.  The Ashland Company Store will provide access             for local entrepreneurs to the tourism revenue.
              TBAI has already provided trainings for B&B, landlord property development, certified             food product development including marketing and labeling.  In addition the shared use             kitchen is available for food production that can be sold in the Ashland Company Store or in             other stores.
              The Ashland Company Store and Coal Camp Café are located six miles on Route 17             Northfork-Ashland Road from Route 52 in Northfork.  For more information call             304/862-4800 or 862-3364.

        .