Danny Watts still remembers the first time he tasted a steak from the Wonder Bar on old Bridgeport Hill. It was more than a decade ago and the dinner was part of a special evening where he was on a date with his soon-to-be-wife, the former Gina Perris.

 

“I absolutely remember it. I ordered steak and lobster…The steak was incredible. You could cut it with a fork,” Watts said.

The experience certainly wasn’t unique. The diner, however, was a bit unique.

 

Watts, who has 20 years of steakhouse and food service business experience under his belt, was intrigued with the experience. In fact, this first-time diner was very much aware that he had tasted a very unique piece of meat at the restaurant.

 

“The last steakhouse business I was involved in was very similar to the Wonder Bar,” Watts, a Bridgeport resident, said.

 

His newest steakhouse business he will be involved with is the Wonder Bar. Thanks to a Wednesday afternoon closing, Watts will be the new owner and proprietor of the Wonder Bar Steakhouse.

 

“I’m not going to come in and change the world. It’s the Wonder Bar for a reason,” Watt said. “It’s going to be a lot of the same experience for everyone. It’s an iconic establishment in this part of the state.”

 

Of course, getting to the point of taking ownership of the Wonder Bar starting today isn’t part of a childhood experience of eating at the decade’s old business situated between Bridgeport and Clarksburg in an unincorporated part of Harrison County. Instead, Watts’ journey to take over the business that opened in 1946 is an interesting one.

 

Although his parents are originally from Buckhannon and his father has retired there, he was born in Cleveland. Thanks to his father being an engineer with General Electric, he grew up all over the country. His primary residence, however, was in Massachusetts and then on to Virginia and, for the last 10 years, he’s lived in Bridgeport.

 

“Growing up with a father as an engineer at GE, you just went all over,” said Watts. “It was like being in the military.”

 

His introduction back to West Virginia wasn’t as much to do with his family as it was with his business interests. Just prior to moving back to the area, Watts was working for a food hospitality management company where he was serving as the food and beverage director at a property north of Richmond.

 

“The same management company I was working for is the same one at the Stonewall Resort. They sent me there to open that and I spent six and a half years there,” Watts said. “After that, I became the general manager at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, where I spent much of the last five years.”

 

Since leaving the Morgantown position, Watts has helped in a consulting role at the Bridgeport Conference Center. He’s worked with Scott Duarte and Jamie Corton, the managing member of Genesis Partners, on concepts involving hotels and restaurants at the Charles Pointe Development.

 

“I’m going to continue in a consulting role with them, as well as help with some of their planning,” Watts said.

 

While Watts said there will be some planning, perhaps the biggest change will be that for the first time since the business opened in 62 years ago, it won’t be operated by a member of the Folio Family. Watts is purchasing the business from Mickey and Debbie Cherubino. He said they have given him their blessing and have worked with him in recent weeks introducing him to many of the businesses’ customers.

 

“It’s been in the family for 60-some years. I know it’s been tough on them about walking away from the family business and moving on,” Watts said. “It’s been an emotional ride for them.”

 

When Watts initially approached them about acquiring the business, he said they weren’t ready to talk. He asked Mickey, he said, to let him know when he was ready to talk. In July, Watts said he received the call. In August, Watts said they discussed the deal. In November, the deal is now complete.

 

“I’ve gotten to know the Cherubinos and have a great deal of respect for them. When you go in there, it feels like going home; and that’s a tribute to the way they treat their customers,” Watts said. “It’s a tradition of excellent that I’m fond of and it’s a tradition I plan on continuing.

“I think Mickey and Debbie are comfortable with me,” he continued. “I made sure I let them know that I would honor all of their traditions.”

 

Watts said while many things remain the same, there will be some changes. The menu will stay true to its roots, but Watts plans on adding items such as prime rib as a staple. He said chargrilled ribeyes, blackened tuna and crab cakes could also be added. Another feature could involve hand cutting steaks tableside.

 

“When you’re entertaining clients and working deals, to do a table side service really steps it up a notch,” Watts said.

 

The building itself will also see some changes. Plans are already in the works for an additional dining room off the back of the existing dining room. Watts isn’t sure if that will get started before winter and thinks spring may be a more reasonable time frame.

 

The new dining room, he said, will handle additional diners on weekends as well as handle private parties. The room will handle up to 35 diners, he said.

 

There could be some changes on the back deck that offers what Watts calls “one of the best views for dining” in the area. Watts said the plan is to glass the area in and perhaps include some wood walls.

 

“You’re still going to get that quality steak. You know, David Rowan is the last original employee hired by Debbie’s father about 25 years ago and he’s got a pretty good grasp of how to cut a steak. He’s still going to be here and you’re still going to enjoy the steak,” Watts said.

 

Danny and Gina Watts have five children between them. The children include Perris Oliverio, 22; Nick Oliverio, 21; Justin Watts, 19; Sarah Watts, 12; and Nikita Watts, 9.