Something very significant will take place at Centre Market this afternoon, weather permitting, but not because of an action taken by Wheeling city government.
At around 4 p.m., a life-sized head of a Tyrannosaurus rex will be installed in one of the windows of the Smart Centre Market that is owned and operated by Robert and Libby Strong. It’s made of fiberglass, was painted with weather-enduring materials, and the window mount was created by Amanda Carney from Cat’s Paw Studio in Centre Market.
Robert presented the proposal during a recent “Show of Hands” event that was sponsored by Wheeling Heritage. The events involve the attendees paying $5 to hear four different proposals by new entrepreneurs and current business owners within city limits. Each member of the audience gets a vote at the end, and the most popular idea gets the collected cash.
The Strongs received about $5,000, and that has funded the purchase of the T-Rex head, the installation, and a few other unexpected bills along the way. It will extend about five feet from the window, and Robert says it might roar in the future.
Let’s hope city council and Mayor Glenn Elliott follow the Strong’s lead, though, and begin investing in the city’s Centre Market properties. The southern market house is in dire need of new roofing, the restrooms need updated to meet ADA compliance, and the décor could use a facelift.
Centre Market is an area once avoided by most after dark because of nefarious activity, but that’s not true today. Not only are all the storefronts filled with street-level retail and restaurants, but many of the structures surrounding the two market houses are at capacity with apartment tenants.
It’s a happening place down there, what with a couple of brew pubs and restaurants intermixed with specialty shops. And it’s fun to shop there.
But the wear-and-tear is becoming more obvious than ever, so it’s time to quit taking it for granted. Invest in it, even if you have to postpone a playground or two.
And, for goodness sakes, don’t touch the parking meters.
(Photos by Erika Donaghy)
