Chris Figaretti’s “big picture” vision is more exact than most, and that’s allowed him to surprise the masses with improbable success.
But that’s only because he begins his brainstorms on the smallest of scales. He addresses a need or a wish or a want, and then – unlike most – he permits a single solution to seek additional applications. That’s at least one explanation for how the idea for the Newbridge Academy grew into what it’s ultimately become in downtown Wheeling, and soon the facility could have more than 250 students up to 12 years old.
The idea sprouted, though, when a need for childcare was communicated by the congregation at the former Vineyard Church. Figaretti has learned that courage can provoke change, and that’s how he has guided his team to create the academy as a new division of the Newbridge Church.
And he’s far from done.
Chris, obviously, is a Figaretti, and yes, that does mean he likes to cook, and he’s utilizing his heritage and his hands-on experience to develop more foods and drinks for the new NB Café that’s located at 1000 Main Street. It’s a space he adores not only because of the tasty grub and the slurp-worthy smoothies, but because of the history that’s so close to its front doors.
The original “Gateway to the West” that is the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, nearly a century of performance inside the Capitol Theatre, and the former Wheeling Hotel where the Bridge Tavern & Grill is today are across-the-street examples why the transformation of the former Ohio Valley Building into the Newbridge Academy was so important to the continued resurrection of downtown Wheeling.
But know without doubt that at his core, Chris Figaretti sees sin as sewage, and he believes we wither without The Lord in our lives.
What was the first song you could sing from beginning to end, and why do you think that song was the first to stick?
It’s hard to pinpoint my earliest musical memory, as preschool and Sunday school songs blur together. But setting those aside, the song that stands out is “Country Roads.” For my 15th birthday, my parents bought me my first guitar from C.A. House in downtown Wheeling—a moment that changed my life. By a twist of fate, I’m writing this in NB Café, now housed in that very same space. What a journey. I took to that guitar like a fish to water and the first song I learned that first week was Country Roads by John Denver. Being a West Virginian through and through, Country Roads has served as an anthem for my life ever since. I went on to become the guy with the guitar around campfires and at parties and Country Roads was always a crowd pleaser, but more importantly to this day that song puts a smile on my face.
Why Jesus?
Life, without a relationship with God, isn’t truly living, and friendship with God begins with Jesus. We were created to know and love God—that’s our deepest purpose. When that connection is missing, our souls wither.
The problem? We’ve all strayed, hurting others, ourselves, and God through sin. Sin is like sewage: it pollutes our hearts, making them unfit for God’s presence. Yet God, who made us to love us, longs to dwell within us. It is God’s presence within us that gives us peace, purpose, and life in its fullness.
That’s the beauty of Jesus and Easter. God saw our flaws but loved us so deeply that He sent His only Son to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus took our place, washing away the sewage of sin through His death on the cross. The wages of sin is death—something we all deserve—but Jesus paid it for us. Easter proves it worked: He rose, showing His victory over sin and death.
Why Jesus? Because He reveals God’s immense love and desire for a relationship with us. That friendship starts now, giving life its true meaning. As a bonus, it extends to eternity—a forever bond with a loving Father who has countless blessings in store.
This is the purpose of life: knowing God through Jesus. It’s mind-blowing, awe-inspiring, and open to everyone who turns to Him.
What is your favorite historical story your father told for years at The Eckhart House in North Wheeling?
By far, the story of Betty Zane rescuing Fort Henry is my favorite! My dad, Joe Figaretti, tells it with such passion and enthusiasm, you feel like you’re right there. From where I sit at NB Cafe, I can see where the fort once stood, a vivid reminder of Wheeling’s rich history. In September 1782, Fort Henry was under siege by British and Native forces, and the defenders ran out of gunpowder. Without it, Wheeling faced certain defeat.
Sixteen-year-old Betty Zane saw the crisis. Someone had to sprint from the fort to a nearby blockhouse for more gunpowder—a deadly dash through enemy lines. The odds of reaching the blockhouse were slim; returning alive seemed impossible. Yet Betty stepped up, saying, “I’ll go.” She ran, grabbed the gunpowder, and made it back. Her courage saved Fort Henry, saved Wheeling, and won the last battle of the American Revolution. Though the war ended at Yorktown a year earlier, word hadn’t reached the frontier. Had Betty failed, the British might have held the land west of the Appalachians, and this region could be part of Canada today.
Betty’s bravery inspires me. It shows that courageous young people can change the world, and that Wheeling has and continues to produce amazing people!
Of all of the education that’s now offered at the Newbridge Academy, what is the most important lesson you hope each child learns? (and why?)
At Newbridge Academy, our mission is “building bridges to the brightest future.” In these formative early years, children need to know they are loved, supported, and safe. They thrive when surrounded by people who champion them and places that offer stability. Ultimately, we want them to discover God’s love as the source of that security, but at this stage, they experience it through the nurturing care of their teachers.
That’s why Newbridge Academy is committed to assembling a team of educators who excel not only in teaching age-appropriate skills but also in fostering a loving, low-drama, high-care culture. You can feel it the moment you step into our building—a warmth that greets every child each day. Our educators prioritize creating an environment where kids feel valued and secure, laying a foundation for growth.
Yes, we embrace educational best practices and leverage state-of-the-art technology to support development, but we know that without love and care, those tools fall short. A child’s earliest lesson should be simple yet profound: “You are loved!” That truth underpins everything we do, ensuring our students flourish emotionally, socially, and academically as they build toward their brightest future.
At Newbridge Academy, we’re not just teaching—we’re loving, nurturing, and preparing kids for a lifetime of confidence and purpose.
Does everyone think you can cook great Italian food because of your last name? Well, can you?
Growing up with the last name Figaretti in Wheeling comes with its share of assumptions. No, I don’t eat free at Figaretti’s Restaurant, but yes, I can cook—and I love it. My grandfather, Tony Figaretti, and his four brothers founded Figaretti’s Restaurant in the 1950s, each playing a vital role. Papa Tony ran the kitchen, and his recipes—still used today—were nothing short of legendary. Whether it was a pasta dinner, a perfectly cooked steak, a roast turkey, or even a simple bologna sandwich, if he made it, it was the best you’d ever tasted. He had a gift.
I inherited his passion for crafting great food and maybe a little touch of his magic. While I’ll never claim to match his genius, I bring that same dedication to the NB Cafe. Here, we live by a simple rule: if we serve it, it’s worth serving. From our handcrafted drinks to our West Virginia pepperoni rolls to the bread for our sandwiches—baked fresh in-house—every sip and bite reflects that commitment. As we venture into homemade ice cream, I’m channeling Papa Tony’s “it’s got to be awesome” mindset to create flavors that surprise and delight.
Papa Tony taught me that when you serve fantastic food with love, people will come—and they’ll come back. That passion for excellence drives everything we do at NB Cafe. Come visit us at 1000 Main Street, Wheeling, and taste the difference love makes. Bon Appétit!
