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This weekend should have been seeing the final days of the inaugural Weirton Restaurant Week.
As an amateur foodie, this idea was something I had been looking forward to since first learning about it by speaking with those involved in its planning.
I was mapping out a possible schedule, looking at ways to squeeze in a couple visits in between work meetings and other appointments, and even considering the possibility of inviting a few people to come along.
Weirton Restaurant Week is being organized by the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce.
It's goal is to highlight some of the food offerings available in our area; working with local restaurants to offer special dishes or deals and encouraging residents and visitors alike to take a day or two (or three, or five, or even seven) to go out and try some delicious dishes.
The idea to hold it in February is because, as organizers put it, the winter months tend to be slower for restaurants. People aren't as keen to take a night and go out into the cold air to grab a meal. This would, hopefully, drive some extra business their way. That's always a good thing.
The bad news: Weirton Restaurant Week wasn't able to be held as scheduled because of the water issues which hit the community over the last few weeks.
The good news: It's still taking place, just a month later.
Weirton Restaurant Week will now be held March 2-8, and, with the slight delay, organizers also were able to get a couple more restaurants on board to help showcase local cuisine.
Our businesses are a vital part of our community, and I've always been one to encourage residents to support them however they may be able.
The idea of Restaurant Week is one I can get behind as it not only gets people out to try some of the food available in our area, but also brings our restaurants more business. More business means the potential for more growth, as more money is spent at the restaurants, and then circulated throughout the area through job creation, investment, and expansion.
Other businesses see that and may decide to come here as well, thus creating more jobs and more growth.
We support what we have here, it helps every aspect of our community.
As of the last update I received, there were more than 20 area restaurants participating in Weirton Restaurant Week. Each is a member of either the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce or the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and each is putting together some special deals.
They include Basil's Sports Bar; Bistro 303 Prime Cuisine; Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Weirton-Steubenville Area (which I only recently learned was an option); Crazy Mexican Bar and Grill; DeFelice Bros.; Domino's Pizza; LBV Steakhouse; Mario's Restaurant and Lounge; Mountaineer Casino: Big Al's, Mahogany Sports Bar, and Gatsby; Primanti Bros.; Route 22 Sports Bar; Strikers Sports Bar; Sweet Temptations; T. Kosciuszko Hall; Texas Roadhouse; Theo Yianni's; The Twister; Undo's Family Restaurant; and 7 Ranges.
Remember, these restaurants took time and effort to invest in our community. The brought business here, created jobs here, and are looking to grow and thrive here. The least we can do is to take time to buy a meal or two.
We've all been through a rough few weeks in the Weirton area.
Let's do what we have always done, and come together and support each other. Whether it's during Weirton Restaurant Week or any other time of the year. Whether it's a restaurant or another of our local businesses. Shop local. Support your community, your friends, your family, your neighbors.
Invest in each other.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)