Why Bridgeport? Taking a Look at the Heart of the City
By Jon Griffith on July 08, 2023 from Why Bridgeport?
When you think about growth in our community, what comes to mind? Maybe Charles Pointe? Perhaps White Oaks? The North Central West Virginia Airport? Yes, all of those would be correct and excellent answers. Each of them is making significant advancements and improvements for the city.
Albeit in a more subtle way, there is another area putting its stamp of growth on our community. It is doing it in an old-fashioned and charming way. I am talking about Bridgeport’s Main Street. Over the past 15-20 years, we have witnessed a true resurgence downtown. 
For this article, I will define downtown Main Street as the walkable portion between its intersections with Virginia Avenue and Benedum Drive.
For this article, I will define downtown Main Street as the walkable portion between its intersections with Virginia Avenue and Benedum Drive.
From the early 19th century through the first half of the 20th century, downtown was the social and commercial hub of the city. The stockyard and rail station drew crowds of people from Bridgeport and beyond. The early 1900s brought the manufacturing industry to Bridgeport in the form of two companies. One was the West Virginia Potter Company, whose product line consisted primarily of stoneware jugs and jars. The other was the Bridgeport Lamp Chimney Company which produced oil lamp glass chimneys. It later became the Master Glass Company. They manufactured glass marbles until the early 1970s.
Downtown was bustling with activity. In the 1950s through the early 1970s, the development of suburban neighborhoods throughout Bridgeport spurred even more growth and excitement along Main Street. Small shops and businesses filled the buildings along our small section of U.S. Route 50.
However, all of that changed with the arrival of Interstate Interstate 79. Along with it came developments like Eastpointe, NewPointe, and the Meadowbrook Mall. Like many communities, the local downtown began to experience a decline as businesses moved or opened in 
these new, shiny retail centers adjacent to the interstate. National chains and big box stores with widespread name recognition became commonplace. In many cities, as businesses closed or left, buildings began to fall into disrepair. The downward spiral led to increased crime and the accelerating decline of city centers nationwide. Obituaries for downtowns were being written across the country.
these new, shiny retail centers adjacent to the interstate. National chains and big box stores with widespread name recognition became commonplace. In many cities, as businesses closed or left, buildings began to fall into disrepair. The downward spiral led to increased crime and the accelerating decline of city centers nationwide. Obituaries for downtowns were being written across the country.
Bridgeport’s downtown was, like so many others, circling the drain. As is so often the case, the people of Bridgeport didn’t just stand by and watch the situation helplessly. They took action. Local building owners and business people began to look for opportunities that could be found downtown. Drawing inspiration from various quaint resort and vacation communities along the east coast and New England, they began to open specialized shops and restaurants to bring that same type of small-town charm back to Bridgeport’s Main Street. They did and continue to do so today with the full backing and support of the city government. City Council has pledged to sustain and improve downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods. The city has also provided additional parking lots downtown to foster growth and accommodate the visitors it brings. Today when you walk down Main Street, you find a vibrant community of retail shops, businesses, and restaurants.
Professional service providers and specialty retail shops are readily found along Main Street; Cooper Law Offices, Mike Kelley Appliance Repair, Kopp Copier Service, Mountain State Real Estate, Goff Insurance Services, About You Monograms, Main Street Pop-Up,
Bonamico Construction, Market on Main Artisan Store, United Security Agency, Riversong Spa, Sunmoon Apparel, Mountain Mama Magick, Abundant Mother Medicine Gardens & Herbal Apothecary, Edward Jones Financial, Expressions Hair Designs, Music on Main, Watchtower Insurance, Gifts From Above 4D Ultrasound, Studio 9 Dance Academy, Landmark Realty, Ashtanga Yoga, Bridgeport ATA Martial Arts, Hair Apparent, Oliverio’s Florist, Batman’s Trophies, Halstead Insurance, Chic Nail Salon, Kindermusik, Gregis Insurance Agency, Mountain State Car Wash, Artworks, Willow Legal Advisors, Peak Capital Group, Rebecca’s Dance Studio, Green Therapeutic Massage LLC, Christopher Boyce-Allstate Insurance, Travis Miller-Attorney at Law PLLC, Cava & Banko PLLC accountants, and Murray, Queen, and Co. PLLC accountants. To name just a few. I know I have missed several. Please accept my apology, and by all means, list your business in the comments section below.
Bonamico Construction, Market on Main Artisan Store, United Security Agency, Riversong Spa, Sunmoon Apparel, Mountain Mama Magick, Abundant Mother Medicine Gardens & Herbal Apothecary, Edward Jones Financial, Expressions Hair Designs, Music on Main, Watchtower Insurance, Gifts From Above 4D Ultrasound, Studio 9 Dance Academy, Landmark Realty, Ashtanga Yoga, Bridgeport ATA Martial Arts, Hair Apparent, Oliverio’s Florist, Batman’s Trophies, Halstead Insurance, Chic Nail Salon, Kindermusik, Gregis Insurance Agency, Mountain State Car Wash, Artworks, Willow Legal Advisors, Peak Capital Group, Rebecca’s Dance Studio, Green Therapeutic Massage LLC, Christopher Boyce-Allstate Insurance, Travis Miller-Attorney at Law PLLC, Cava & Banko PLLC accountants, and Murray, Queen, and Co. PLLC accountants. To name just a few. I know I have missed several. Please accept my apology, and by all means, list your business in the comments section below.
Eateries have blossomed along Main Street as well. Dairy Queen, a Bridgeport stalwart since the 1950s, is now joined by almost a dozen restaurants downtown; East of Chicago Pizza, DeNuzzo’s Italian Deli, Almost Heaven Desserts, China One, Winnie’s Cafe, Della’s Deli, T&L Hot Dogs, Domino’s Pizza, Subway, Oliverio’s Ristorante, and Hello Vietnam. About half of those restaurants feature outdoor dining areas as well. There is something very relaxing about leisurely enjoying a beverage, meal, or dessert with friends or saying hello to a passing neighbor on a bright sunny morning or in the twilight of a warm summer's evening along Main Street. I highly recommend it. Again, if I have overlooked someone, I am sorry and please tell us below.
From the city’s perspective, the Bridgeport Public Pool, Benedum Civic Center, and Bridgeport Veterans Memorial serve as anchors for the downtown area. These cornerstones provide focal points for so many activities. They are significant attractions for our citizens and many from outside our municipal borders.
In recent years, the Benedum Civic Center has undergone a noticeable facelift. Inside and outside, it provides an attractive and functional space for meetings and classes for many groups in the city. It also serves as a regional training facility for public safety groups such as 
Fire Departments, Police Departments, and Emergency Services agencies hosted by our local departments. A master plan for redesigning and updating the Bridgeport Public Pool and the surrounding grounds is currently being created. The hope is to provide an updated, family-friendly pool with additional entertainment and recreation features on the adjoining property. The Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department does an outstanding job planning, running, and maintaining these facilities.
Fire Departments, Police Departments, and Emergency Services agencies hosted by our local departments. A master plan for redesigning and updating the Bridgeport Public Pool and the surrounding grounds is currently being created. The hope is to provide an updated, family-friendly pool with additional entertainment and recreation features on the adjoining property. The Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department does an outstanding job planning, running, and maintaining these facilities.
Continuing efforts to promote and improve Bridgeport’s downtown are supported by the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport (ABB) and the City of Bridgeport’s Community Planning Department. The ABB’s Light Up Night and Summer Kick-Off events draw much-appreciated attention to Main Street and its businesses. The ABB also provides networking and educational opportunities to local businesses. Andrea Kerr and the Community Planning Department work to assist businesses with their Facade Improvement Grants and Economic Business Incentive programs. These programs help bring in new businesses and allow those already here to improve their building's appearance and functionality. The Community Planning Department’s Business Retention Committee helps spread the word about these programs. As well as sponsoring Business Lunch-to-Learn sessions that help our business owners with current financial, legal, and business information.
Time and time again, when presented with a challenge, the Bridgeport community looks for the positives in the situation and what our path forward is to a successful outcome. We don’t do it alone. Bridgeport functions as a family, so it is often a group effort. We support and encourage each other. Opportunity does live here. It lives in the Heart of Bridgeport. It isn’t by chance; it is by choice. That is “Why Bridgeport?”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the "Market on Main" building that hosts a number of unique businesses, while the second photo is of the old Dairy Queen site that today is home to East Chicago Pizza with the DQ across the street. The third photo is inside of Almost Heaven Desserts, while About You Monograms is shown below.
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