Blackberry Honey Smash. Photo by Josh Baldwin, Havenbrook Media.
The cultural immersion continues on the walls of the restaurant, which function as a gallery of rotating work from Kit Gray, a local artist. Guests can enjoy and purchase artwork that celebrates regional creativity, further fueling the restaurant’ s role as a community hub.
Possibly the most significant evolution of The 1910 has been its transformation into a genuine family affair. Initially, balancing the demands of the restaurant industry with the needs of two teenagers was difficult. However, Joanna and Rafael’ s children didn’ t just bear witness to the hustle and bustle— they joined in.
“ Our children stepped in to help and have grown into important members of our team,” Rafael says.“ Our son, Roman, works on the grill and cooks one of the best steaks you will ever taste. Our daughter, Eva, has developed incredible knife skills and has become our salad and charcuterie specialist.”
Even the older generation of the family is involved. Joanna credits her mother for her initial love of cooking and hospitality. She plays a role in the restaurant today by helping make many of the homemade desserts. This family bond extends to the professional staff. Despite common industry warnings regarding labor shortages and staffing difficulties, Joanna and Rafael have found a team that feels like an extension of their own household.
“ Our staff has embraced the vision of The 1910 and works incredibly hard to create the kind of experience we want every guest to have,” Rafael says.
For Joanna and Rafael, the decision to open in Logan was a strategic investment in the community’ s future.
“ Logan is our home, so investing here has always been important to us,” says Joanna.“ Beyond providing a dining destination, we hope the restaurant continues to help create jobs, support other local businesses and encourage people to spend time in the heart of the community.”
While the restaurant currently focuses on intimate dining and off-site catering, the vision for the future is grand. Joanna and Rafael are working toward using a larger upstairs auditorium space within the building. For now, the restaurant continues to host live music evenings and interactive theatre-style events, aiming to create a space where great food, music and community come together.
“ Growing up in Southern West Virginia, sharing a meal has always been about more than just eating,” Joanna says.“ It’ s about gathering, conversation and feeling welcomed at the table.”
For Joanna and Rafael, the goal is for every patron to feel as though they are part of the family that brought the restaurant to life.
“ If someone walks out the door already thinking about the dish they loved, people they shared it with, the feeling of warmth our staff made them feel and when they might come back, then we know we’ ve done our job,” Rafael says.
In a building that once connected the community to the outside world and powered homes, The 1910 is now generating a different kind of energy— one fueled by culture, family and the enduring spirit of Appalachian hospitality. •
Devil Anse Burger. Photo by Josh Baldwin,
Havenbrook Media.
“ If someone walks out the door already thinking about the dish they loved, people they shared it with, the feeling of warmth our staff made them feel and when they might come back, then we know we’ ve done our job.”
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