News & Events

Wilson takes walking tour of downtown district
Tuesday, February 09, 2010

STEUBENVILLE - The customer looked at the list of beverages and ordered a large hot chocolate for himself and his aide.

"This is delicious, and I understand you also have very good coffee available as well," U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-St. Clairsville, told Rich and Tracy Mullins of the Old Towne Coffee Shop on Market Street.

The coffee shop was the first stop of an hour-long walking tour of the city's downtown business district for Wilson, who later said he wasn't aware of the regrowth taking place in the business district.

"I can remember my father bringing me to Steubenville when I was much younger to buy my clothes at the Phil-Mor. Unfortunately that store has closed but a new business owner has opened a children's used clothing store in the same building," said Wilson.

Wilson appeared earlier Monday at a TechGROWTH Ohio seminar at Eastern Gateway Community College.

"What I am seeing downtown today is the very thing we discussed at EGCC. We are working to bring more small businesses to Appalachia. We are also trying to improve the Small Business Administration's efforts to help small businesses," explained Wilson.

He noted he is the fourth generation of his family to operate a business that has diversified from funeral homes into retail furniture, other retail and real estate investments.

"I was very impressed by what I have seen in the downtown area. Our community probably won't land a future Honda plant or other major employer. But we can build on the local economy with the small businesses that are returning to downtown Steubenville," said Wilson.

"Just seeing what is happening in the community is an example of the private sector working in cooperation with local government. I am in Steubenville to make more people aware of the federal programs that are available," said Wilson.

Forever Young children's clothing store owners Ed and Louise Lloyd showed Wilson and his staff through their Market Street store.

"This building was empty for years, but we have brought our store here and brought back some of the downtown traditions," said Ed Lloyd.

Wilson then stopped at BookMarx where he chatted with owner Peter Marx about his reasons for relocating his business from Georgia to Steubenville.

"This is a great town, and the Franciscan University of Steubenville was one reason. Plus I am from Ohio and wanted to return. I have given myself a year to get noticed by local customers in addition to my Internet customers. I have seen a lot of support from the local community," noted Marx.

During a stop at Baker Boys bakery on North Fourth Street, Wilson was advised to purchase the homemade bread.

"I am getting one loaf and you should get the other one while it is still here. They usually sell out and this is delicious bread," urged Wilson's aide Cathy Gagin.

"I'll take one loaf of bread and some of those biscottis," Wilson told Baker Boys owner Rich Burchfield.

"It was nice seeing our congressman in the store. (It) made us feel like we really aren't off the beaten path. It also makes us feel like someone in Washington, D.C., really does care about what is happening in Steubenville," stated Burchfield.

Wilson also visited the Steubenville Chamber of Commerce offices and the Bayberry bed and breakfast homes on North Fourth Street.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)