Editor's Note: According to a post on their Facebook page, they will be opening today at 11 a.m.

 

It has been, for decades, a place to stop for a bite to eat or a place to sit back with a companion and enjoy a drink – often both. But after 55 years of serving Harrison County and beyond, it was announced in May of last year that The Red Caboose would be closing its doors for good.

 

The bad news was that one of the most well-known eating establishments in Harrison County and situated just off of Joyce Street in Clarksburg – minutes from Bridgeport – was done. The good news is that Bridgeport High School alum Pat O’Mara and his wife Sherry decided that it was worth getting involved in bringing it back to life.

 

Barring something unusual, the O’Mara’s and Jay and Nadine Schwartzmiller – the new owners – will help kick off the official grand opening of the slightly renamed eatery “The Caboose.”  The planned first day is later this week with an 11 a.m. lunch opening.

 

With final details still being addressed, O’Mara is hoping for a Thursday lunch-time opening. However, visit their new Facebook page, which can be found by clicking HERE, to make sure the exact day they hope to greet their first customers.

 

“We’re looking forward to opening. We’re doing final touchup now,” said O’Mara. “We’re prepping and doing training with the front of the house servers.”

 

The building, which covers 2,600 square feet, has witnessed major renovations since the new owners took over. Among the renovations are an entirely new kitchen, floor, subfloor and bathrooms.  The front of the historic bar area has also been done, but the original bar back is still in place. He said, for the most part, the building was gutted.

 

O’Mara has said that the restaurant may not look the same to many regulars from the past. Gone are walls covered with sports memorabilia and a “prohibition” theme is in place. Old photos, redone ceramic ceiling tiles and the actual prohibition era double doors that are part of the original building are on display. There are also new large screen televisions not only in the bar area, but in the redone atrium seating area as well.

 

One thing is missing – the buzzer that was required for entry. O’Mara said they have kept the piece and plan on displaying it in the remodeled facility.

 

O’Mara said there will be plenty of dining options for the lunch and dinner crowd. Pizza, pastas, seafood, steak, hoagies, salads and more are going to be part of the menu.  There will also be 10 beers on tap that will be chilled perfectly thanks to a new system that was installed. Carryout options will also be available.

 

For past customers of “The Red Caboose,” they will likely notice a handful of similarities in the “The Caboose.” However, the changes are major and O’Mara said they’re all pleased with the product as it nears its completion prior to opening.

 

“I would think so,” said O’Mara when asked if he believes people will be pleasantly surprised with the new look. “We’re pretty excited and we’re pretty happy with the way it turned out; even better than what we thought the final produce turned out.”

 

The new restaurant will be open seven days a week. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight on weekends. Lunch will start on noon on Sundays. Again, check their Facebook page for potential changes in operation hours as well. The restaurant easily can handle more than 100 customers.

 

Editor's Note: Be sure and check out the photos below in the gallery with a little more of the preview of "The Caboose."