Mall Business, City Man's Restaurant among Winners in 2023 Best of West Virginia; Other Locals Listed
By Jeff Toquinto on February 22, 2024
In the recent Winter of 2023 WV Living Magazine the “Best of WV” winners for the year were announced and several of those honored were from Bridgeport, the immediate area, or had a business tie to Bridgeport.
There were two winners directly related to Bridgeport along with one winner from Harrison County. There were several others that fell into the 
“runners-up” category.
“runners-up” category.
One Bridgeport businessman’s business took home first place as well as a runners-up honor for 2023 in the food category of honors. City resident Scott Duarte, the owner of Muriale’s Italian Kitchen, took home first place for having the state’s top “Italian Restaurant.” The business, made famous by the Muriale family and last operated by Rocco Muriale, is carrying on the tradition under Duarte who also saw a runners-up honor for “Fine Dining.”
The other first place award went to a relatively new business at the Meadowbrook Mall. Cardinal Market, which also has a location in Vienna at the Grand Central Mall, took home top honors in the “Gift Shop” category under shopping and services. The business opened in October of 2023 in Bridgeport. They have already 
moved to new area at the mall away from Center Court and near Marshall’s and a 2,300 square foot space.
moved to new area at the mall away from Center Court and near Marshall’s and a 2,300 square foot space.
The other Harrison County winner is name familiar to many. Under the culture section, The Davisson Brothers Band took top honors in the category of musician/band. The Davisson Brothers have been doing their thing since starting in 2006. The group consists of brothers Donnie and Chris Davisson, Gerrod Bee on bass and lifelong family friend Aaron Regester on drums.
Several others also made the list as runners-up. Under food, Oliverio Italian Style Peppers of Clarksburg earned a nod in the West Virginia-made product category.
Although the restaurant was not from Bridgeport, its base restaurant is. One of the runners-up in the best Italian Restaurant food category was Oliverio’s Ristorante on the Wharf in Morgantown. Oliverio’s Ristorante in Bridgeport has a long, rich history in Bridgeport.
Another long-time name earned a runners-up nod In the food section’s “Best Hot Dog” division, Yann’s Hot Dog Stand from Fairmont was in the mix. The Marion County staple has continued the family business after long-time owner Russell Yann passed away.
Under Best Brewery in the drink division, a business with a Bridgeport location was listed. Mountain State Brewing Company was one of the two runners-up. Mountain State Brewing has a location at Charles Pointe and recently announced they will be opening their fourth location.
Bridgeport saw other runners-up come its way under travel. The Bridge Sports Complex earned the nod under best sports/recreation complex. The $50 million plus, and growing, facility has proven to be an incredible sports tourism destination, which this category represented. Weekly tournaments often see thousands of individuals visiting the city with a recent set of indoor activities drawing more than 12,000 visitors during a two-day span at The Bridge.
There were two other runners-up in the local area as well. Under travel and the Best Golf Course, Stonewall Resort earned a spot. The resort in Lewis County is another tourist destination with the golf course also seeing plenty of action from local residents.
And finally, under culture, the Best TV Station saw runners-up go to WBOY-TV. The local station, owned by Nexstar Media Group, has been a staple in Clarksburg for decades.
To see all the winners and runners-up in all the categories statewide, get a copy of WV Living. The magazine can be found locally at the Meadowbrook Mall in Books-A-Million.
To get a subscription or inquire about single copies of the quarterly magazine, call 304-413-0104.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Rocco Muriale, third from left, and Scott Duarte, fourth from left, with the Duarte family shortly after Duarte took over the restauarnt. Middle photo is of Cardinal Market at its new location. Photo courtesy of the Meadowbrook Mall. The Davisson Brothers, Donnie on the left with Chris, are in the bottom photo.
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