He began his career in the hospitality industry as a security guard, and now Taylor Smith has scaled the ladder to become the new general manager of the McLure Hotel in downtown Wheeling.
But unlike his positions at hotels in Wheeling and Pittsburgh, Smith’s gig at the downtown Wheeling hotel holds more meaning than most people realize.
“My grandfather in the 1960s and 1970s was a bellman at the McLure and then he worked his way up to being a maintenance supervisor,” Smith explained. “That’s why, when I received a call from Roxby Development, I immediately thought to myself that this is history in the making. I sort of felt as if I needed to be a part of this project out of respect to my grandfather, and here I am today.
“This is heart-deep for me,” he continued. “Resurrecting the McLure Hotel to a hotel that the people of Wheeling can be proud of means everything to me, and that’s what we are all working toward.”
Roxby Development purchased the property two weeks ago, and a bevy of activity has been taken place ever since. Not only was the exterior of the hotel power washed, but the painting process also has been ongoing for two weeks. Many of the hotel’s 173 rooms already have been updated with many more planned for the future.
“My vision for the future of the McLure Hotel is to update it to the 21st Century while retaining the historic vibe that the hotel has right now,” Smith said. “I believe we’ll need smarts TVs, and some new streaming features because people seem to be getting away from cable. I would also like to see the live entertainment come back to the lounge that we are soon to reopen.
“There have been many interior changes already with the placements of many pieces of new art on the first floor, and I would like to see that continue on the other floors, too,” he said. “I would like to see artwork that features the musicians that are from the Wheeling area, and the one who played here in Wheeling for many years, and others that feature the city’s historic civic leaders.”
Food and Drink
The bottom level of the McLure Hotel has space where bars and restaurants have operated in the past, but previous ownership allowed the infrastructure to digress into disrepair. Once those issues are addressed, those two amenities will reopen for guests and patrons from the Wheeling area.
The Vagabond Kitchen operated in the restaurant space for a few years, and the bar was known as the “new” Office Lounge before closing several years ago.
“There are a lot of ideas we have discussed as far as the bar and the restaurant. After speaking with a lot of people, a breakfast service is something everyone mentions, so I believe that will be coming in the future,” Smith revealed. “We have an office area that is encased by glass, and I believe that could be turned into a breakfast service area with a little remodeling. I would love to see that happen.
“As far as the bar and restaurant, I believe there is a ton of potential for those areas of the hotel, and discussions are taking place,” he said. “But those areas will be making a comeback in the near future once some updates are made to the building. Once those projects are completed, we’ll move forward with bringing those services back to the McLure.”
And the hotel’s top floor will be open to the public, too, once it is cleared of the debris that the previous owners collected in the space for years.
“The plan for the top floor is to transform it into a multi-entertainment space with a lounge because it has the best view in the city,” Smith said. “Since the McLure is right in the heart of downtown Wheeling, you can see so much from up there. In the evenings, it is especially beautiful.
“Construction did start up there back in the 1980s, but then it all stopped. If you go into the restrooms up there, though, you’ll see that they are brand new,” he explained. “The supper club that was planned for that space never happened, and that space has been used as storage since 1984. But the plan for that area is in development, and I can’t wait for when we can show the people of Wheeling those views.”
Historic Hospitality
Opened in 1852, the McLure Hotel owns much history in the city of Wheeling. Not only did several U.S. presidents reside there during campaign stops, but the hotel was also where lawmakers stayed while giving birth to the state of West Virginia in 1863.
For many years, professional hockey players stayed at the McLure while in town to compete against the Wheeling Nailers, and many performers entertaining at Wesbanco Arena and the Capitol Theatre have stayed there as well.
“To make the McLure a destination like it has been in the past, we have to make it an all-in-one place to visit,” Smith said. “We have to offer the full lodging experience for the people who choose to stay with us, and that means reopening the lounge and the restaurant because that’s a part of it. That’s what people want when they are staying in this area.
“Once all of those amenities are put into place, we’re going to need everyone’s support so we can bring the McLure back to being an attraction all in itself,” he said. “Our employees will realize that we are a part of that experience, too, and that is why we are determined to make the McLure a destination in downtown Wheeling once again.”
The new general manager has hired an assistant GM in Chelsey Demussi, and all of the hotel’s 16 employees were retained by Roxby. Together the team will welcome guests to a well-maintained lodging facility where the visitors know they can relax. Smith, though, has come to realize the true reality of the hospitality industry.
“During my career, I believe the most important thing that I have learned is that it’s always a work in progress,” Smith said. “As long as our guests can see that we are doing the best we can, they will appreciate not only your efforts but everyone’s efforts because we’re working as a team to offer them the best possible stay.
“If our employees can make a positive difference for our guests, those folks will not forget it. I have had people who have not seen me for years, but they have come back to the area, and they remember me and want to catch up,” he said. “That’s very important in this industry and that’s exactly what we plan to offer our guests who choose to stay in downtown Wheeling.”
