labor and supply chain complications . Since the reopening in early 2021 , the hotel has seen full capacity .
“ The feedback from the community , WVU and new and previous guests has been nothing short of amazing ,” Mickey says . “ The hotel ’ s rebirth is in keeping with the Thrash Group ’ s mission of creating relevant real estate developments that positively affect its communities . Hotel Morgan is a source of newfound energy to visitors and locals alike , combining historic splendor with contemporary accommodations .”
In decades past , Hotel Morgan , with its magnificent ballroom and crystal chandeliers , was the height of elegance . Today , it combines the property ’ s historic splendor with contemporary accommodations like Anvil + Ax , its European coffee shop and cocktail bar .
“ With this round of renovations , I believe a landmark has been reborn , restoring the property to its 1920s prestige ,” Mickey says . “ Hotel Morgan has reclaimed its rightful place as downtown Morgantown ’ s premier boutique luxury hotel .”
Inkwell ’ s Tavern
Inkwell ’ s Tavern in Charles Town was celebrating its one-year business anniversary when Governor Jim Justice ’ s orders closed its doors on March 17 , 2020 . Owners Derek and Misty Bendit quickly changed their business model so their little cocktail bar could power through that empty time . During April and May , Inkwell ’ s became a curbside only business .
“ We were mainly a bar , not a restaurant , so we only had a few menu items ,” Misty says . “ We turned the bar room into almost a prep kitchen so we could do to-go items . We could not sell to-go cocktails , only beer and wine , so we had to rely heavily on food .”
Inkwell ’ s specializes in made-fromscratch food and drink . This includes craft cocktails made with in-house syrups and craft beers . Its menu boycotts any fried bar foods , but the entertainment is traditional pub fun , including darts , billiards and arcade games . From May 26 to December 26 , 2020 , the Bendits opened the doors at half capacity .
“ We realized quickly that we would not make it in our original space ,” says Misty . “ If we stayed there , we could only have 12 patrons inside . Luckily the Bars and Booths building across the street became available . The landlord really worked with us , or we would not have been able to pull it off .”
Misty , a tattoo artist for more than 20 years , and Derek , a Marine veteran and sales and estimate professional for River Valley Construction , closed the doors completely on December 26 to give their tavern the virus prescription it desperately needed : space . Social distancing was the new social plan , and they were determined to get on trend .
Inkwell ’ s Tavern reopened in the new location the last weekend in February and has since resurrected its live event nights . Its new space allows the staff to care for patrons at an even higher level .
“ Size was a huge issue across the street ,” says Misty . “ I have pictures where there was a line to the end of the block trying to get into the bar . More is better for all of us — for our patrons and our staff .”
Nomada Bakery
When the Nomada Bakery team decided to shut the doors at its six-month anniversary mark , just as the pandemic was picking up speed , owners Dr . Shawn Schulenberg and Ariel Barcenas got creative and reimagined their business from scratch . The Huntington bakery emerged from the COVID-19 shutdown with a streamlined business model shaped by the pandemic and prepared for the future .
“ We started to brainstorm new ways to reconcile both economic and safety demands ,” says Schulenberg , who is also a political science professor and chair at
Marshall University . “ The social reality of the pandemic would likely change every few months , and we would have to continually adapt to meet consumer demand .”
The owners ’ first plan was to improve their existing internet game and create a new , online store . They purchased and programed an entirely new computer system , including a point-of-sale system that allowed for direct customer interaction .
Six weeks later the bakery reopened with a small staff serving the brunch box , an assortment of food and pastries . As employees felt safe returning to work , Schulenberg and Barcenas organized shifts throughout the day to give them safe space .
As COVID-19 relaxed its grip , Nomada reopened for walk-up customers , with a streamlined traffic flow , thanks to the new website and point-of-sale system .
“ Our new point-of-sale system was integral because it allowed customers to see our current inventory without entering the building , pay through their phones or a contactless payment system and schedule their pickup times to avoid close human contact ,” Schulenberg says . “ This has evolved into a dynamic ordering system where customers can easily place orders to pick up now or preorder large items for a future date .”
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