EDITOR'S NOTE: This article ran in August of last year and although the business has been open for several months, the official ribbon cutting didn't take place until Wednesday. At that time,staff of Mountain River Physical Therapy were joined by developers of The Square at Bridgeport, along with city and Harrison County Chamber of Commerce officials. The office is open 8 am. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. To contact the office, call 304-848-6016.

 

As renovation work on the facade at The Square at Bridgeport just off Main Street continues, developers have confirmed another new tenant is coming to the city.

 

According to Scott Werdebaugh with the development, Mountain River Physical Therapy will be the latest addition to the plaza formerly known as the Valley Hills Plaza. Werdebaugh said they will be occupying the space previously utilized by Amish Traditions.

 

There’s a chance some may have heard of the new business as they have 20 clinics in six states with the one to open soon in Bridgeport and the acquisition of another clinic in Minnesota. There’s a better chance you may know the name of the individual heading up the soon-to-be-open business.

 

Wes Eades, a standout student and athlete who was a 2008 Graduate of Bridgeport High School, will be the physical therapist on site. Currently, Eades is working out of the company’s office in Ellenboro in Ritchie County.

 

Getting back home to Bridgeport from Ritchie County wasn’t your standard process. It turned out to be one that worked out for the best after his family faced some misfortune.

 

“After I graduated from PT School, (former Buckhannon-Upshur state champion and West Virginia University track standout) my wife Chelsea (Carrier) was training for the Olympic trials and had the opportunity to go to Florida to train,” said Eades. “Along with doing training at the University of Florida, she had the opportunity to do additional weight training at Mountain River’s location in Ocala.

 

“It fell into place with me working there, Chelsea training there and that she could take a position there,” Eades continued. “That worked out well for some time.”

 

Not only was Chelsea chasing her dream, but Eades was learning his craft and applying it. He was being mentored by Mountain River’s Burt Reed, who Eades sang the praises of. He was also working with not just patients of all ages, but with professional athletes as well.

 

“While in Florida I got a lot of experience many younger professionals don’t get. I dealt with adolescents to 99-year-old patients, but I also was able to work on athletes from Major League Baseball, the NFL and professional horse jockeys,” said Eades. “When we decided to leave Florida, a lot of people thought I was crazy. In the end, we decided family is what matters most and our family is here.”

 

The decision became easier due to the aforementioned misfortune. Chelsea Eades injured herself three weeks prior to the 2016 Olympic trials. From there, a new path was taken.

 

“That was kind of her last go-round and we decided we wanted to start a family. That’s taken us back to Bridgeport,” said Eades.

 

He and his wife are currently living in Bridgeport and they have started their family. They are the proud parents of 7-month-old Tristan.

 

“We want our child raised around family and that’s why family took precedence,” said Eades. “I felt good with the experience I received and decided to come back to the area.”

 

Eades returned roughly a year ago. The good news is that Mountain River had a clinic in Ellenboro and needed help. The better news was that the company, already in expansion mode, was looking to find a location in Bridgeport.

 

“I can’t put into words how thrilled I am to be back home and to soon be able to be working minutes from home,” said Eades. “Chelsea is going to be working with me as a performance trainer and to have her in the same clinic and being able to feed off of one another should be beneficial to what we offer.”

 

The new business will offer any type of outpatient physical therapy. Eades said it can range from dealing with muscle strains to individuals with vestibular problems.

 

“We hope the location will be successful. We believe it will because it’s a fantastic company. The owner had a long-term vision to work in Bridgeport and to be a part of the Bridgeport community,” said Eades.

 

An exact date for an opening has not yet been set. However, the hope is for mid to late September. Keener Construction out of Grafton is the contractor.

 

Along with Eades and his wife, a secretary will be hired for the office. The operation, which will be open Monday through Friday, will be housed in more than 2,000 square feet.

 

Eades brings solid credentials to the PT table. He graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology in 2012. In 2015, he earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from WVU in 2015.

 

Editor's Note II: Top photo after the one above the text shows Wes Eades, wife Chelsea and son Tristan, while the middle photo is of working being done on the focal point of The Square with the Mountain River office just to the left. Bottom photo is of Eades working on a client.