FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. -- Follansbee is celebrating the grand opening of a new business. Stuff With Attitude is a specialty shop that lines Route 2.

 

For owner John Clancey, this represents the growth his business has seen for Follansbee and the Ohio valley. This could represent something bigger.

 

Mayor Tony Paesano was happy to point out the new development along Route 2 in Follansbee to NEWS9 crews.

 

"We have a passion for this,” Paesano said.

 

John Clancey, a steel worker for 30 years, has that same passion and took an early retirement to start out on his own.

 

"I always had to deal with other people managing me. Now it's my opportunity,” said Clancey.

 

At Stuff With Attitude, Clancey calls the shots. Friday John, along with local officials, cut the ribbon on a new location in Follansbee.

 

"With the layoff situation, economic downturn. Follansbee is moving right ahead,” said Paesano.

 

Clancey realizes that businesses like his could be the future of the Ohio valley.

 

As industry shrinks, his business is growing. The building he uses will also house a dance studio and an ice cream shop.

 

"Anytime I talk to my friends at Weirton Steel that are still there, it's like it's time to look into other things," Clancey said.

 

Those "other things" could bring new life to towns like Follansbee, where new businesses have really taken off.

 

Clancey started out just selling T-shirts in Weirton. Now his shop offers everything from vinyl decals to skateboards.

 

"(The future is) service type businesses.This type of business where people have fun. That's what we do. Anyone that comes into our shop automatically knows they're going to have fun when they're there,” said Clancey.