He is an “ideas” guy because he’s a “dreams” guy, too.
Jeramie Alvarado arrived in the Wheeling area in the late 1990s to attend West Liberty University, and once finished, he decided to remain in the Upper Ohio Valley. Since, he has worked in a plethora of positions at local eateries because his amicable demeanor translates well to the customber.
But then nearly a year ago, Alvarado and his wife opened Rachel’s on 16th, a small restaurant that served breakfast and lunch in a building with much history in East Wheeling. For decades, it was a tavern known as May’s Holiday before becoming the home for American Legion Post 1 for several years.
The 41-year-old Alvarado, though, saw an opportunity to finally put down the server’s apron to become one of Wheeling’s newest entrepreneurs, and he believes the city’s elected leader should pay more attention to the small businesses within the municipality. His perspective is different, too, from someone who has lived here and here only because before Alvarado moved to this area, he lived in San Diego, Elkins, Front Royal, Va., Tooele, Utah, and Concordville, Pa.
What is it about the restaurant business that you have decided to open your own eatery on 16th Street in East Wheeling?
Ever since I was young, I was always in the kitchen learning from my grandmother. I love food, so that is where I wanted to be. I got my first position cooking at Jay Birds Carryout in West Liberty in 1998. All through college I’ve always had a job either in a bar or an eatery. I love people, and most people love me as it sometimes seems.
Throughout the years I’ve learned a lot about the food and beverage industry from the bottom to the top, and I have worked at many restaurants along the way. I’ve always wanted my own place, and once the opportunity presented itself, I knew it was time to jump on it.
Rachel’s on 16th wasn’t open very long when all dine-in restaurants were under state order to offer only take-out. How has the business performed since mid-March?
I opened Rachels on Aug 13, 2019, and we were quickly recognized for our quality product, clean atmosphere, and wonderful staff. Once COVID-19 became a factor, we had to decide what to do. I mean, we were just hitting what I’d say would be our peek, and then we had to lay everyone off and run the joint all by ourselves.
We decided not to quit, not to close, and we did that because we are married to this place, and this place is my only income. What we found was that as everyone was making adjustments across the city, our customers continued to place orders for pickup. Even though our numbers dropped a staggering 85 percent, having no overhead helped. To this day we still have some days that are super slow, but we do have days that are really busy, and they make up for it.
While other restaurants have reopened their dining rooms, you have not. Please explain the reasons for that decision.
When other restaurants began opening at 50 percent, I entertained the idea at first but then decided that it wouldn’t make sense for us. We are a tiny place with 35 seats only, and if we opened for dine-in, we still couldn’t be at 50 percent because of the way the square footage is set up. On top of that I worried about being able to afford the extra labor.
I didn’t want to risk it, and I also thought about what if someone came in there and had the virus? We would have to shut down for two weeks with no income. I get asked the questions all the time: “When are you going to open up? When can you let us in?”
Now, I’m glad I made the decisions I’ve made because, with a rise in cases, we can see the second wave coming. Sitting back and watching has always been something I do. I learned long ago not to go with the rest of the crowd.
You and your family recently have moved to a new home in East Wheeling. For what reasons did you select the dwelling on 14th Street?
Recently, I was fortunate enough to find a really nice home on 14th Street in East Wheeling, and I’m in love with it. Those who know me best know I’m no rookie when it comes to owning old buildings, but this one would be an actual dwelling for me and not one that generates an income.
This one is special.
Not only did I get a great deal, but it just so happens to be three blocks from my restaurant. I love it. The neighborhood is great, the neighbors are super nice, and I couldn’t be happier.
What future do you see for the city of Wheeling? Please explain that vision.
Wheeling’s future is so uncertain, but from my observations, I think it has great potential.
Center Wheeling is growing and East Wheeling is growing, but North Wheeling needs some love and South Wheeling really needs some love. Downtown seems to be doing ok.
I won’t tell you everything I think because I might see some future investments, and I don’t want to give those away (haha).
Wheeling has a very large group of mom-and-pop businesses, and I think our city leaders need to pay more attention to that. We are the backbone to this city. Wheeling also has the largest group of old Victorian real estate in the country, and we need to keep these old buildings alive.
Too many people are being allowed to purchase property but are not sanctioned when they leave them sit because they don’t have the resources to fix them. This needs to stop.
