WHEELING, W.Va. (Oct. 13, 2026) — Vigilant Books & Coffee will celebrate its grand opening Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 at its new location, 650 Main Street, the historic Vigilant Firehouse in North Wheeling.
The store opens its doors to the public Friday at 7 p.m. with a free art exhibition by Appalachian artist Janet Hart, running until 8:30 p.m. Grand opening weekend continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free events include live music, art classes, a children’s storytime, and a touch-a-truck event with a fire truck. The café’s full food and drink menu will be available for purchase all weekend and during regular hours afterward.
“I’ve always loved reading and being surrounded by books, and now I get to share that with Wheeling,” said owner Chuck Wood. “We want this to be a place where people come to read, eat, talk, and take part in events, a home in Wheeling for anyone who
loves books.”
Vigilant Books & Coffee is an independent, locally owned bookstore and café offering new and used books, gifts, and a globally inspired food and drink menu. It is designed as a third space: a place outside home and work where neighbors can meet and connect. Owners Chuck Wood and Vera Uyehara established the business in 2019 in a smaller location on Market Street, and spent years restoring the 1891 firehouse for its new home.
Regular hours are Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The full grand opening schedule is at vigilantbooks.com/grand-opening-schedule. Follow along at facebook.com/VigilantBooks and instagram.com/vigilantbooksandcoffee.
