[ business ]
Talent
Transplant
Donald Hitchcock & Paul Yandura
Paul Yandura and Donald Hitchcock.
Photo by Charles Ryntz.
BLAIR DOWLER
In celebration of those who have adopted our Mountain Mama as their own,
“Talent Transplant” recognizes the Mountaineers who were born elsewhere but
relocated here, embraced our beloved state and now help us work toward
a brighter future.
Donald Hitchcock and Paul Yandura
lived and worked in Washington, D.C., for
more than 20 years before their journey
to the Mountain State began. Searching
for an escape from the fast pace of the
nation’s capital, the couple began spend-
ing weekends in Lost River, WV, a rural
mountain town, over a decade ago. After
a few years of weekending there, they
decided to make nearby Wardensville
their home among the hills. Now, as full-
time residents of Almost Heaven, they are
both very active in their local community,
spearheading revitalization through entre-
preneurship, education and a genuine love
for all things West Virginia.
Taking the Leap
It was a cross-country path that led
Hitchcock and Yandura to West Virginia.
Yandura grew up in major metropolitan
areas across the U.S. like Detroit, Los
Angeles and New York City before landing
in D.C., where he worked in the White
House under President Bill Clinton’s
administration. He then went on to launch
his own firm where he did consulting work
for several Democratic political candidates
as well as philanthropy consulting. During
that time, he also started working with
32
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
the Jonathan D. Lewis (JDL) Foundation,
Inc., a youth empowerment organization.
While he enjoyed his job, he longed for a
slower pace of life.
Hitchcock was on the same page. He
grew up in a small farming community
in Tampa, FL, and after college, he got
involved in local politics in Atlanta, GA,
before making the leap to Washington,
D.C. There, he worked for a civil rights
attorney and a public relations firm, both
of which allowed his career to progress
to LGBTQ health-related positions at the
national level before joining a for-prof-
it medical device sales company. When
the couple purchased their weekend get-
away cabin in Lost River in 2008, they
saw an opportunity to reset their careers
and become part of something special in
rural West Virginia.
Putting Down Roots
Once the move was final, the couple
mapped out a plan for what they wanted
to accomplish in their new home state and
began working toward those goals. They
decided to go into real estate together, and
after earning their real estate licenses, they
purchased an old, historic feed store in
Wardensville and turned it into a modern
mountain general store: the Lost River
Trading Post.
The Hardy County-based shop is a
staple in the town. It has a unique vibe
and atmosphere that can be felt through-
out its 3,500-square-foot showroom. All
the food is homemade, and the items
for sale are provided by local artisans,
crafters, woodworkers and consigners.
The Grasshopper Gallery, located inside
the post, is where local artists showcase
their creations. The post also serves locally
roasted coffee and is home to the largest
selection of craft beer and wine in the
county. It’s the kind of place where guests
can slow down and spend a little extra time,
and Hitchcock and Yandura encourage
tourists and locals alike to stay a while,
whether they are enjoying the organic
foods, listening to music, relaxing on the
deck or catching up with friends.
“Our store has become a community
place during the week,” says Hitchcock.
“We’ve started a Workplace Weekdays
program because we have the fastest
Wi-Fi in the area. We encourage people
to come in with their laptops or iPads, so
there are often people working or hold-
ing meetings. People have come to rely on
our store being part of the community.”