Jason Miller has seen it all in downtown Wheeling.
That’s how long the co-owner of River City Restaurant has been involved with the eatery on the corner of 14th and Main streets, and that means he’s witnessed the construction of Heritage Port, the renovations of Wesbanco Arena, the demolitions of eyesore after eyesore, and the opening of the Boury Lofts, and much more.
Most recently, Miller and business partner Becky Schmidt endured the three-year streetscape project that included digging up the streets surrounding their location inside the Wheeling Artisan Center, the demolitions and replacements of all sidewalks, and a plethora of detours away from their front doors.
For the past few months, though, Miller has seen the improvements starting to pay off, and now River City will welcome patrons this Friday to the establishment’s annual Halloween Party.
“The downtown is getting there. It’s starting to look like what everyone was talking about several years ago,” Miller reported. “With all the renovations that have taking place with the streetscape and with a lot of the buildings, the downtown is really starting to look terrific. It has taken a while, but it’s definitely an upgrade for this area.
“And it’s definitely bringing more people to downtown, and we’re really looking forward to our Nailers and Miners pre-game parties now that it’s much easier to get into the front door. That alone was a challenge for a while,” he said. “I feel like it’s starting to come together now. It’s been one piece at a time, and now you can see it all coming together.”
River City’s annual adult Halloween Party is scheduled for this Friday night at 9 p.m., and the evening will include drink and food specials, 13 cash prizes, and the grand prize for best costume is a free, three-night stay in Nashville, Tenn.
“We’ve been preparing for the Halloween Party all week, and this year we’re giving away a trip to Nashville,” Miller said. “It’s an exciting time because of all of the costumes and the balloon money drop with 13 cash prizes. You can’t find that anywhere.
“The folks who come to the Halloween Party always do a great job on their costumes. It’s really impressive and the judges have a tough time,” he said. “People have told us that our party is the party in the valley, and that’ll be true again this Friday night.”
Turn and Face the Strange
Changes. There have been plenty of changes.
While the outdoor dig was taking place, Wheeling Heritage performed an extensive interior makeover in the Artisan Center that included creating two first-floor retail spaces and consolidating all of River City’s seating into the north side of building. Initially, Miller questioned the decision.
He loves it now.
“Now that the bar and the restaurant are all on one side, it’s fantastic, and the addition of our outdoor seating area has worked out great so far, and we’ll be looking forward to the warmer weather in the spring so we can open it up again,” Miller said. “I don’t miss having the other side as part of our dining room because we have just as many seats here on the bar side. It’s been working out great.
“We have a new menu because we’re added a lot of new food,” he said. “Everything here is brand new, and it’s been a lot of fun seeing the reactions of our customers when they finally come back. They’ve been pretty impressed.”
Miller also is excited for the 40th Annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade that is set for Nov. 21st because the annual Christmas procession will return to its original course along Main and Market streets. The parade, presented each year by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, usually attracts more than 90 entries but was forced to move to Center Wheeling for two years because of the streetscape project.
“We’re really happy the Christmas Parade is returning to the downtown streets, and we’ll be hosting an event that night to welcome everyone inside,” he explained. “We’re looking forward to the Nailers’ home opener on November 1, too, and we hope the fans come in before all of the home games so they can grab something to eat and drink.
“Our schedule for live entertainment will be picking up, too, and we’re already busy with our events on the third floor and we’re looking forward to all of the office Christmas parties,” he said. “It’s been good to get back to normal.”
Most Days and Most Nights
So, why?
For 28 years, Miller managed and then co-owned the eatery inside the Artisan Center, and he and Schmidt not only have operated the restaurant, but they’ve also hosted special events, weddings, banquets, birthday parties, and so much more on the third floor or in the atrium area on the first floor.
Now, River City is closed on Sundays and Monday evenings, but that doesn’t mean Miller isn’t working on new menu items or the next comedy night.
“Our menu has evolved a great deal over the years,” Miller said. “We’ve had to adapt to what’s been happening in this area, but we’ve also had to keep everything reasonable, too. We want everyone to be able to enjoy what we do here. That’s important to us.
“We’re working on the menu all the time by listening to our customers and listening to our staff,” he said. “And our lunch specials and our soups are terrific and that’s our kitchen doing what they do. They do a great job back there.”
So, again, why?
“I love it. I love to create something for downtown Wheeling,” said Miller, a husband to Erica and father of two. “I find it exciting, and I believe having people here to create some energy for this town is something we’re able to do now with the streetscape nearing its end. It’s been a challenge for us and our customers, that’s for sure.
“We’ve been there for so many great moments for people from this area, and we’ve helped make special days even better because we’re from here and it’s important to us,” he said. “That’s one of many reasons why it’s been great to get back to normal and we’re hoping more and more of our customers continue to come back to downtown Wheeling.”
