Monday was the day a lot of people have been waiting for, and some thought would never come.
Tudor’s Biscuit World opened its doors at 5 a.m. on the corner of Eighth Street and Third Avenue in Marlinton.
That corner had long been the home of the Bank of Marlinton building, and if you look at the base of the steps leading to the restaurant’s porch, you will see that the letters, “B A N K” that welcomed folks into the corner entrance, have been saved.
Zach Chittum purchased the old bank building several years ago. When that building and others were destroyed in the November 2013 fire, he was determined to bring new life to his corner.
And he did.
Along with new life, Chittum has retained some elements of history as framed photos of the old bank building hang in the dining area, and the title of Andrew Price’s locally-famous poem, “There Ain’t No G in Marlinton” is stenciled above the front windows.
It’s been many years since Main Street has had the amount of activity as was seen Monday.
Chittum said Tudor’s first customers were three gentlemen from Glenville who are working in the area, and came into the restaurant shortly after 5 a.m.
The Marlinton staff has been in training at other Tudor locations, and the training will continue for a while as Tudor’s supplies human resources to get its new franchises up and running.
Becky Blankenship, of Fayetteville, is president of Gino’s Distributing, and oversees 50 stores and the overall training for new openings, Chittum said.
Blankenship, Lyrissa Bristoe, also of Fayetteville, and Davilla Addison, of Montgomery, will be on-site for the next two weeks to make sure things run smooth.
Jay Fink, of Gauley Bridge, is a Franchise Support specialist with Tudor’s. He will stay in Marlinton for a month, offering his “support” to Chittum and the staff of this new, and most welcomed venture.
Patrick Trainer, of Marlinton, is the local restaurant manager.
Tudor’s Biscuit World is open Monday through Saturday, 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
