Here are the WV Living reader-favorite restaurants, shops, travel destinations, lodging, towns, and people in 2023—the Best of West Virginia.
written by Elizabeth Howard, Pam Kasey, & Devin Lacy
photographed by Carla Witt Ford & Nikki Bowman Mills
Looking for tips on where to eat next time you’re in the Eastern Panhandle—fun places in the southern part of the state for a weekend getaway—best Mountain State shops for books, clothes, gifts, furniture, art? We have recommendations from the experts: West Virginians across the state. Here are the WV Living reader-favorite restaurants, shops, travel destinations, lodging, towns, and people in 2023—the Best of West Virginia.
GIFT SHOP
CARDINAL MARKET
WV Living readers have voted Cardinal Market the ultimate one-stop shop for locally made products. This gift shop showcases artisans and their beautiful work made in the Mountain State. Stop by one of its two locations, Bridgeport and Vienna, to find clothing, jewelry, baked goods, art, candles, and more. This is the perfect place to support West Virginia makers and small businesses and find one-of-a-kind products. 100 Grand Central Mall, Vienna, @cardinalmarketwv on FB; 2399 Meadowbrook Road, Bridgeport, @cardinal-market-bridgeport on FB
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VINTAGE LADY
196 High Street, Harpers Ferry, thevintagelady.net, @vintageladyharpersferry on FB
TAMARACK MARKETPLACE
1 Tamarack Place, Beckley, tamarackwv.com, @tamarackwv on FB
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
PLOT TWIST BOOKS
Opened in March 2023, Plot Twist Books is one of the state’s newest bookstores, but quickly became a fan favorite. Matt Browning and Brian Mann crafted the shop to carry both new and used books with a donation-only system that allows unwanted books in good condition to find new homes. Find “bookish” gifts among the stacks as well for the readers in your life. 209 D Street, South Charleston, plottwistbooks.com, @plottwistbookshop on FB
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TAYLOR BOOKS
226 Capitol Street, Charleston, taylorbooks.com, @taybooks on FB
WORDPLAY
50 West Main Street, Wardensville, wordplaywv.com, @wordplaywv on FB
LOCAL FLORAL SHOP
GILLESPIE’S FLOWERS & PRODUCTIONS
Taking home its third win in this category, Gillespie’s has been a fixture of the White Sulphur Springs community for 100 years. And over the years, it has earned quite the reputation across the state and beyond for its stunning displays. From the everyday arrangement to show-stopping event centerpieces, readers love the great customer service and attention to detail. 385 Main Street West, White Sulphur Springs, gillespiesflowers.net, @gillespiesflowers on FB
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SPENCER FLORAL
211 Main Street, Spencer, spencer-floral.com, @spencerfloral on FB
YOUNG FLORAL CO.
215 Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston, youngfloral.com, @youngfloralco on FB
WEST VIRGINIA–MADE PRODUCT (NON-FOOD)
BLENKO GLASS CO.
The carefully curated collection of products from Blenko Glass Co. is a dreamscape in color and form. This fine establishment first started creating artistic, hand-blown glass in 1893, and still today, each piece is designed to be unique and inspiring. Blenko’s broad range of products—from small decorative items like ornaments and suncatchers to eye-catching barware and its signature water bottles—makes it easy to find something special for anyone. If you’re a fan of Marshall or WVU, check out its collegiate collection. 9 Bill Blenko Drive, Milton, blenko.com, @blenkoglass on FB
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FIESTA TABLEWARE
LOVING WV
Storefront at 219 Monroe Street in Fairmont opening fall 2023, lovingwv.com, @lovingwv on FB
LOCAL PLACE TO BUY WOMEN’S APPAREL
THE BEST YOU BOUTIQUE
The Best You Boutique in Weirton offers women’s clothing in all sizes with the goal of making everyone who walks into the store—or shops online—feel comfortable and beautiful. The casual wear collection comes in easy fabrics and vivid colors, and accessories are bold and fun. Shop home goods to freshen up your holiday and year-round decor, too, and join to earn Best You Bucks. 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, Weirton, shopbestyouboutique.com, @bestyouboutique2401 on FB
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BETTS AND COOPS BOUTIQUE
115 West Washington Street, Charles Town, bettsandcoopsboutique.com, @bettsandcoopsboutique on FB
GYPSY GRACE BOUTIQUE
1401 Charles Avenue, Dunbar, @gypsygboutique on FB
LOCAL FURNITURE SHOP (BRICK & MORTAR)
CHUCK’S FURNITURE & MATTRESS
Serving greater Morgantown for over 50 years, this family-owned business is dedicated to bringing high-quality furniture and decor to customers’ homes. Browsing the 100,000-square-foot showroom filled with items from national and local brands, you’re sure to find something you can’t live without—and if you have something specific in mind, the store’s longtime employees can help you find just what you’re looking for. 77 Lawless Road, Morgantown, chucksfurniture.com, @chucksfurniturewvu on FB
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WELLS HOME FURNISHINGS
101 Bowers Road, Charleston, wellshome.com, @wellshomefurnishings on FB
VAIL FURNITURE
103 North Church Street, Ripley, vailfurnitureinc.com, “Vail Furniture” on FB
BANK
PENDLETON COMMUNITY BANK
Serving residents of Pendleton and surrounding counties for nearly a century, Pendleton Community Bank provides the personalized service of a community bank with all of the convenience of electronic banking. Headquartered in Franklin, PCB offers 13 locations as far away as Beckley, Wardensville, and Staunton, Virginia, and contributes to educational, recreational, and nonprofit causes in the communities where it operates. 128 North Main Street, Franklin, yourbank.bank, @yourbank on FB
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CITIZENS BANK OF WEST VIRGINIA
211 3rd Street, Elkins, citizenswv.com, @citizensbankofwestvirginia on FB
CLEAR MOUNTAIN BANK
10 locations across the state, clearmountain.bank, @clearmountainbank on FB
LOCAL PLACE TO BUY WEST VIRGINIA-MADE PRODUCTS
TAMARACK MARKETPLACE
Beckley’s Tamarack Marketplace, just off of Interstate 77 and known for its distinctive red rooftop peaks, has represented the products of more than 2,800 artisans and artists from all 55 counties of West Virginia. It’s a place where residents and visitors can browse and purchase the finest in West Virginia–made textiles, jewelry, fine art, glass, pottery, woodwork, and more. Art galleries and on-site dining make it a top shopping destination. 1 Tamarack Place, Beckley, tamarackwv.com, @tamarackwv on FB
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CAPITOL MARKET
800 Smith Street, Charleston, capitolmarket.net, @capitolmarket on FB
CARDINAL MARKET
100 Grand Central Mall, Vienna, @cardinalmarketwv on FB
OUTDOOR / GEAR SHOP
SERENITY NOW OUTFITTERS
Lewisburg loves Serenity Now Outfitters so much, they’ve voted it “Best Outdoor / Gear Shop two years in a row. This go-to shop has been serving the Greenbrier Valley community since 2003 with a carefully curated selection of gear and brands and a network of fly fishing guides. Find all you need for your next outdoor adventure at this reader-favorite shop. 898 Washington Street West, Lewisburg, serenitynowoutfitters.com, @serenitynowoutfitters on FB
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CABELA’S
200 Cross Terrace Boulevard, Charleston; 200 Bass Pro Drive, Morgantown; 1 Cabela Drive, Triadelphia; cabelas.com
OTTER & OAK
302 2nd Avenue, Hinton, otterandoak.com, @otterandoakwv on FB
REAL ESTATE AGENCY
GREENBRIER REAL ESTATE SERVICE
You want someone to walk with you through each step of the home buying and selling process, and voters say it should be a realtor from Greenbrier Real Estate Service. Serving the Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, and Pocahontas County areas, this team of knowledgeable and considerate professionals works closely with you to understand your goals and get you where you want to be. 1047 Washington Street East, Lewisburg, greenbrierrealestateservice.com, @greenbrierrealestateservice on FB
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DANDRIDGE REALTY GROUP
113 West Washington Street, Charles Town, dandridgerealtygroup.com, @dandridgerealtygroup on FB
LOST RIVER TRADING POST REALTY
275 East Main Street, Wardensville, lostrivertradingpostrealty.com, @lostrivertradingpostrealty on FB
INDEPENDENT FINE JEWELRY STORE
CALVIN BROYLES JEWELERS
For over 75 years, Calvin Broyles has served its community as a family-owned business now in its third generation. Voters appreciate its quality selection of fine jewelry as much as they do the top-notch customer service. In addition to diamonds, wedding bands, watches, and other jewelry, Calvin Broyles offers a full menu of services—from expert jewelry cleaning to custom designs. 4708 MacCorkle Avenue, South Charleston; 24 Scott Way, Hurricane; 1042 North Eisenhower Drive, Beckley; calvinbroyles.com, @broylesjewelers on FB
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FEAGANS JEWELERS
230 West Washington Street, Charles Town, feagansjewelers.com, @feagansjewelers on FB
S & S DIAMONDS & FINE JEWELRY
315 North State Route 2, New Martinsville, sandsdiamonds.com, @sandsdiamonds on FB
LOCAL PLACE TO BUY MEN’S APPAREL
DANIEL’S OF MORGANTOWN
For over 50 years, Daniel’s of Morgantown has sold quality men’s clothing. Its men’s store offers a large selection with a professional staff to help find the perfect style and fit. Daniel’s dresses men for every occasion, from a young man’s first suit to a wedding tuxedo to career wear. It also offers high-quality WVU sportswear, giving men options for both casual and professional shopping. 2908 University Avenue, Morgantown, danielsofmorgantown.com, @danielsofmorgantown on FB
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TONY THE TAILOR
822 Virginia Street East, Charleston, bestmastertailor.com, @tonythetailorwv on FB
RUTTENBERG’S
238 Jefferson Avenue, Moundsville, @ruttenbergsstore on FB; 247 Main Street, New Martinsville, “Ruttenberg’s New Martinsville” on FB; ruttenbergsstore.com
Best WV-Based Online-Only Retailer
Morgan Rhea
Morgan Rhea Beals and Michael Beals are the dynamic duo behind the voter-favorite online-only retailer Morgan Rhea. Creativity, passion, and tradition are the cornerstones of their operation as they create stunning leather goods that are “not just an accessory.” Items such as the Johnny Dopp Kit, the Mary Crossbody, and the Jacob Backpack carry the legacy of the loved ones that inspired them but leave plenty of room for your own stories to be made. morganrhea.com, @morganrhealuxurygoods on FB
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Loving WV
Storefront at 219 Monroe Street in Fairmont opened fall 2023, lovingwv.com, @lovingwv on FB
North Fork Jewelry Design
northforkjewelrydesign.com, @northforkjewelry on FB
DOWNTOWN SHOPPING (A TOWN)
LEWISBURG
A collection of unique and interesting shops can make even the smallest downtown a hub for residents and a destination for visitors. WV Living readers appreciate Lewisburg for its eclectic shopping mix—everything from gift boutiques, outdoor gear, and clothing, shoes, and accessories to eclectic art galleries, furniture and antiques, and new and vintage decor—all in the space of a pleasantly walkable downtown. visitlewisburgwv.com
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THOMAS
BERKELEY SPRINGS
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