West Virginia Executive Spring 2026 | Page 120

Fried Green Tomato Stack. Photo by Josh Baldwin, Havenbrook Media.
a landmark. From the 1930s to the 1980s, the site was the regional hub for Appalachian Power.
“ It is widely known as the old power company building, and visitors often tell us they remember coming to the building to pay their power bills,” Rafael says.
Joanna and Rafael felt a responsibility to preserve that collective memory.
“ Rather than seeing an old building, we saw an opportunity to restore something meaningful and give it new life,” Joanna says.
The restoration process was not without its trials. Updating a 116-yearold building to today’ s standards required more than just a fresh coat of paint. Joanna and Rafael faced the intimidating task of modernizing outdated electrical and plumbing systems while carefully preserving the original character that drew them to the auction in the first place.
The 1910 defines its mission through a concept Joanna and Rafael call refined Appalachian hospitality. It is a delicate balance between the comforts of home and elegance of high-end dining. The atmosphere, characterized by candlelight and
vintage-inspired details, is designed to feel both sophisticated and welcoming. The menu shares this sentiment, focusing on high-quality ingredients and from-scratch cooking.
“ Many of our dishes draw inspiration from regional favorites that people in our area grew up with, such as our Coal Miner sandwich on the lunch menu— a thick-cut, grilled bologna sandwich that pays homage to local heritage,” Rafael says.
Other favorites include fried green tomatoes with a unique twist and house-made pimento cheese. The commitment to the region is evident in the sourcing of ingredients.
“ Whenever possible, we also prioritize locally sourced ingredients and partnerships with regional producers,” Joanna says.“ One example is our bone-in pork chop with apple butter glaze, made using apple butter from Walker Family Farms.”
Hot Honey Peach Cheesecake.
Photo by Josh Baldwin, Havenbrook Media.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE