Tri-State Holiday Guide: Huntington

Michelle Goodman

Where to Eat, Drink, Shop, & Be Merry This Holiday Season


HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA

    With the lighted wreaths on lampposts, the West Virginia Building changing its colors to red and green, and storefronts displaying winter themes, walking down Third or Fourth avenue in downtown Huntington, West Virginia, is idyllic. It’s like taking a step back in time when small, downtown shopping was the norm, although Huntington’s offerings are anything but old-fashioned.
    With Huntington in the midst of a Renaissance, there are even more places to shop, eat, drink and be merry, than previous years.
    The Market, on the corner of Third Avenue and Eighth Street, houses several restaurants and small locally-owned shops and has the feel of urban retail spaces found in larger cities. From fine dining Greek cuisine at Navarino Bay, to fast and fresh salads and pizzas at Fuel Counter, gluten-free and farm-fresh options at Butter It Up, and a sweet treat at Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream, The Market can be a one-stop-shop for a family of even the pickiest eaters.
    Only a short walk from The Market, shoppers looking for a reprieve can take a seat at one of several craft beer, whiskey and wine bars with Summit Beer Station, Taps at Heritage Station, or Sip Wine and Whiskey Bar. Those looking for a little entertainment can check out Quicksilver Arcade Bar, one of Huntington’s newest businesses, for some retro gaming and videogame-themed drinks.
    A few short blocks from The Market, shoppers will find Heritage Station, with a newly-expanded Full Circle Gifts and Goods, as well as a craft candle shop, Haute Wick Social.


EAT    

    Shoppers looking for a quick bite between gift hunting can refuel at Fuel Counter at The Market. The menu is simple, with fixed prices for salads, sandwiches, pizzas and smoothies. With more than 60 fresh ingredients, each option is fully customizable. If you’re in a hurry, Fuel offers curbside pickup.

  • „    809 3rd Avenue, Huntington, 681.378.3155, www.thefuelcounter.com. Open daily 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

    Right next door is Butter It Up, where breakfast is served all day, and all meat and eggs are local, free range and pasture raised. The restaurant’s offerings include everything from omelets, salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps and, of course, its popular Butter It Up coffee drinks, made with house butter.

  • „    809 3rd Avenue, Huntington, 681.204.3510, www.butteritup.com/home.html Monday - Friday 6:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

    For a cozier sit-down option, Navarino Bay is on the mezzanine level of The Market. The menu is modern Greek with eclectic Mediterranean dishes. From gyros, beef souvlaki and mousaka, to the Apollo burger and shrimp saganaki, those seeking authentic Greek cuisine will not be disappointed.
Walk-ins are welcome but the restaurant does take reservations.

  • „    809 3rd Avenue, Huntington, 681.378.0020, www.navarinobay.net, Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday closed.

    For dessert, head back down to the main level for Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream. It’s flagship location in Ceredo is closed for the year, but you can have their homemade concoctions year-round at The Market.

  • „    809 3rd Avenue, Huntington, 304.521.2580, Facebook and Instagram Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday 12 - 9 p.m.

DRINK    

    At Summit Beer Station, owner Jeff McKay recently celebrated the bar’s sixth anniversary and has more holiday-themed festivities planned.
    “We always tap Thirsty Dog Bourbon Barrel 12 Dogs of Christmas the day before Thanksgiving,” McKay said.
    Patrons can also expect a special tapping of Gulden Draak Smoke, Petrus Sour Framboise, Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Scotch Silly, and Whiskey Barrel Aged Chimay Grande Reserve. Also be on the lookout for several holiday beers from Global Beer Network. With more than 20 rotating taps and dozens of bottles, there is something to quench everyone’s thirst this holiday season.

  • „    321 9th Street, Huntington, 681.378.0468, Facebook and Instagram, Monday - Thursday 4 p.m. - 12 a.m., Friday - Saturday 12 p.m. - 2 a.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

    At Heritage Station, Sip Wine and Whiskey Bar will have a holiday wine tasting event and the bar will have a revamped wine menu for the fall/winter. Sip specializes in wine flights, so patrons can try a sampling of several wines. There are also more than 30 whiskeys to sip, as well as cheese plates and charcuterie boards for snacking.
    Not sure what to try? Owner Allison White recommends the Gypsy, a whiskey cocktail made with blackberry/lemon shrub, thyme simple syrup and lemon bitters, using Tullamore DEW and served on the rocks.

  • „    210 11th Street, Suite 2, Huntington, 304.523.5533, www.sipwineandwhiskey.com, Monday - Thursday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. - 12 a.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 12 a.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

    Heritage Station is also home to Taps at Heritage. The craft beer bar is planning a Christmas tree lighting with DIY beer-themed decorations, Christmas karaoke, a Bell’s Brewery tap takeover and a special "Star Wars" Week to celebrate the opening of “Rise of Skywalker.”

  • „    210 11th Street Suite 9, Huntington, 681.378.0605, tapsatheritage.com Monday - Thursday 4 p.m. -  10 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. - 12 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 12 a.m., Sunday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

    Shoppers looking for gifts for the craft beer enthusiast in their lives should visit Bottled Up at The Market. They offer cold craft and domestic beers and a variety of wines and local cheeses and jellies. Popular offerings at Christmas time are their gift baskets, and basket delivery will be an option this year.
    “Bottled Up being at The Market is unique because it offers an alternative to a bar,” said owner Carmen Foust. “While we are retail, we offer samples regularly and patrons are welcome to imbibe on premise of our little business collaboration.”

  • „    809 3rd Avenue, Huntington, Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday - Saturday  11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday, 1 - 7 p.m.

SHOP

    One of Huntington’s newest shops is The Potted Edge, which offers interior plants and handcrafted items. Along with Lucky Car Design Co. and River City Leather, the three Gallipolis-based businesses opened in the Progress Building this summer.
    “We offer a unique variety of houseplants and pottery as well as handmade items by local artisans such as macramé,” said owner Wendy Canaday. “Gift cards are also available, which is a popular option at Christmas time when people are uncertain of exactly what plant to buy for a gift or are unsure of taking care of it until gift giving time.”

  • „    418 8th Street, Huntington, Suite B,   304.529.7779, www. pottededge.com, Wednesday – Thursday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and will also be open on Christmas Eve for limited hours.

    Tulsi at The Market has brought healthy options to Huntington with natural and organic grocery products, natural health and beauty aids, personally chosen nutritional supplements and fresh house-made organic juices.

  • „    809 3rd Avenue, Huntington, 304.908.9260, Facebook and Instagram, Monday closed, Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

    At Heritage Station, Full Circle Gifts and Goods has expanded its shop to offer more truly unique items, from handmade ceramics by owner Noelle Horsfield, to Pride swag all year long, as well as some special holiday Pride items.

  • „    210 11th Street, Shop No. 12, Huntington, 207.522-.7868, www.fullcircleceramic.com, Holiday Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

    Nearby, Haute Wick Social is offering a variety of do-it-yourself holiday events during December, including workshops for weather, candle and ornament making, which all include custom candle making.
    “The candle making process is easy and takes an average of 35 minutes,” said owner Ashley Marie Casto. “We have over 80 scents for you to customize your perfect candle. Once we help you find your perfect scent combination, you’ll blend the oils and mix them into your wax. Naming your candle is the hardest part, but it gives a personalized touch to your unique scent.”
    Walk-ins are welcome for non-events, but tickets are required for posted events and can be purchased through the Haute Wick’s Facebook page.

  • „    210 11th Street, Suite 14, Huntington, 681.204.5980, Facebook and Instagram, Sunday - Monday closed, Tuesday - Wednesday 1-6 p.m., Thursday - Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

BE MERRY

    If the cold weather is giving you the blues, take a trip to Quicksilver Arcade Bar and let the 1980s atmosphere take you back to a simpler time when getting a high score on Joust was the only thing that mattered.
    Quicksilver opened in the former Max and Erma’s space at Pullman Square earlier this year and has been a popular entertainment spot for people of all ages. While the space is technically a 21-and-older-only business, children under parental supervision are permitted daily before 8 p.m.
    There is a huge section of arcade classics, from BurgerTime, Crystal Castles, Dig Dug, Asteroids and more. There is also a selection of pinball machines, video game consoles, air hockey and Dance Dance Revolution.
    “We have one of the largest collections of retro arcade games in the country, and they are almost all free to play as long as you are making purchases from the bar and kitchen,” said owner Benjamin Morgan. “Quicksilver Arcade Bar is a fantastic venue to host corporate holiday events as well as profession organizations and something unique to do with family visiting from out of town.”
    There is a selection of draft and bottled beer, as well as signature cocktails and shooters, like Super Smashed Brothers (a Long Island iced tea) and Charmander (Fireball, peach and grenadine). There are also fun drinks for those underage, like Hagrid’s Butterbeer.
    If you work up an appetite trying to defeat Donkey Kong, Dig Dog Hot Dogs inside the arcade offers signature dogs for those who need a taste of Cincy, Coney Island, Chicago, Philly or Seattle, and specialty dogs like the DogadOupolis and the half-pound Pullmanator. Side options of fries, tots, salads and other appetizers are also available.
    Happy hour is Monday - Friday from 4 - 7 p.m. with half off all draft beer, appetizers and sides. Dig Dog’s late-night special is half off all dogs from 11 p.m. to close every day.

  • „    16 Pullman Square, Huntington, www.quicksilverarcadebar.com, Monday - Thursday 4 p.m. - 1 a.m., Friday 4 p.m. - 2:30 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 2:30 a.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 1 a.m.

    For some merriment that takes you even farther back in time, Heritage Farm offers a completely lit 19th century pioneer village that includes a living nativity drama, live Christmas entertainment, artisan gift market and more.
    The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. In addition to the live nativity, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for visits, as well as a Jingle Wagon Ride featuring Christmas carols, a chance to make toys in Santa’s Workshop and dancing with Frosty the Snowman. Visitors can roast s’mores, decorate cookies, drink hot cocoa and enjoy other Christmas goodies.
    Parking is at Christ Temple Church on Johnstown Road. Parking and shuttle to the farm are complimentary.

  • „    3300 Harvey Road, Huntington, 304.522.1244, www.heritagefarmmuseum.com, Christmas Village Hours: Dec. 12 - 14 from 5 - 9 p.m.