Photo credit: Emma Delk
Mugshot barista Melody Petras prepares orders on Monday, the opening day of the coffee shop’s new Moundsville location.
The classic Wheeling coffee shop has expanded from its original location and opened a second location in Moundsville at 524 Seventh St.
Mugshot owner Grant Coleman said the motivation for the second store was the number of regular customers who frequent the Wheeling store from Moundsville. He noted that one of his regulars has said “all the time” that Coleman needs to open a store in Moundsville.
“We have a lot of other regular customers that come down this road, so we felt this was a good choice for us,” Coleman said. “We already have some regular customers based on the fact that we already have a following this way.”
Coleman added that the Moundsville building’s location will also attract customers, as it is close to county and city buildings, as well as local law and accounting firms.
“The building is basically in the neighborhood, on the way to the (Grave Creek) mound and the (West Virginia) prison,” Coleman said. “I don’t think we could have picked a better location.”
Coleman began preparing the space for move-in six months ago. Coleman said they originally planned to buy the building, but leasing it from owner Jason Fronapfel “gave us the best outcome.”
Coleman noted that Fronapfel and his wife, Marshall County Commissioner Bestie Fronapfel, have done a “great job” preparing the space, including finishing the floor and ceiling and preparing the chandelier.
“I really wanted to own whatever building I was moving into the next location, and this took me out of my thoughts a little bit and I didn’t have to worry about it,” Coleman said. . “Jason and Betsy did a great job with this space; all I had to do was build the bar and figure out everything else going forward. ”
Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy said the building had been vacant “for some time” after its original tenant, Home Electric, closed in the 2000s.
“I think it’s the perfect location, with the courthouse and numerous law offices down the street,” Healy said. “If there’s one thing people have been asking for over the past few years, it’s a coffee shop. We’re excited to have a new business in Moundsville, but it’s especially exciting given our great success in Wheeling. ”
Scott Rieger, executive director of the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, said Mugshot has the advantage of being a specialty store and will be a great attraction for area visitors.
“It’s definitely going to be a great place for people to start their day,” Rieger said. “I think it will go very well.”
The Moundsville location’s menu will feature the same coffee, lunch and breakfast options as the Wheeling location. Coleman said he is working on several specialty drinks that will “pay homage” to Moundsville and will be added to the menus at both locations.
Coleman said the response to the new store since its soft opening last Monday has been “much better” than expected. He said the store had “a trickle” of customers on its first day, but after word of the location spread on social media, the business “could go under” with business.
“On Tuesday, we posted on social media about the Moundsville opening and the post went viral with over 70,000 views,” Coleman said. “The following Wednesday was insane. We were packed all day.”
Coleman said Moundsville residents have been “very welcoming” so far, going out of their way to stop by and say “thank you” for opening in town. added.
“We’re excited about this location. We think it’s going to be just as successful, if not better, than the Wheeling location,” Coleman said. “I’m going to stay here for a while to make sure things are stable and then I’ll decide where to go next.”
