Portrait of Small Town America: New Martinsville, West Virginia

The city of New Martinsville, located south of Wheeling in Wetzel County, West Virginia, is a gem sprawling across the plains of the Ohio River. The city is home not only to several shopping gems, including several used bookstores, furniture stores, and restaurants, but also to the annual Town and Country Day Festival, which features such noteworthy events as the Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show and the Demolition Derby. Although a little off the beaten path for the interstate traveler, New Martinsville is definitely worth the trip off of I-70.

If you're a used and rare book-lover, New Martinsville is the place for you. The town boasts two used bookstores, both located within a block of one another. The Book Store features a number of different categories, ranging from fantasy to children's books, from religion to history, as used magazines from the past couple of decades. In addition, the store is also home to a number of rare and hard-to-find books, including those issued by National Geographic and Reader's Digest. Just as importantly, the prices are very reasonable. Although most new paperbacks are standard cover price, most used volumes range from $0.50 to $1.00. Furthermore, the used magazines can often be as cheap as $0.10 (I bought a stack of National Geographics for a grand total of $0.90.) This bookstore definitely deserves four stars.

Across the way from the bookstore is Uncle Bob's Furniture Store. Despite its rather rustic appearance, the store has a variety of nice furniture pieces, as well as a number of odds-and-ends and knick-knacks to complete that empty corner of your kitchen or living room. Upon my recent visit, I found several pieces of particular interest and quality, especially a large vanity and a china cupboard. The prices were quite reasonable, especially considering the quality of the pieces. This selection, combined with the friendliness of the staff, makes this another four-star location.

New Martinsville is also home to several mainstream shopping venues. Along Route 2 are a number of locations including: Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, Peeble's, and several other stores are a nice complement to the local stores scattered throughout the downtown area. So if you forgot that all-important cell-phone charger, or perhaps a tooth brush, never fear. They've got you covered in New Martinsville.

If you're tired out from shopping, then try one of the many restaurants the city has to offer. New Martinsville is home to numerous restaurants, from the local and national to the international. On the local level, one can eat at Barrista's or the Valley Diner, while KFC/Taco Bell, Bob Evans, Golden Corral, Arby's, and many other chains are available if that is more to your taste. If you like Chinese, New Martinsville even has several buffets to offer. So no matter what your food choice, New Martinsville has you covered.

Finally, be sure to visit New Martinsville during one of the many festivals that make their home in the city. Of particular note is the Town and Country Days festival, which features a wide variety of activities, including livestock exhibitions, carnival rides, delicious fair food, and the Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Exhibition. As a county fair, Town and Country Days is hard to beat. The car show in particular should not be missed, as it frequently features a number of beautiful antique cars and trucks. Even the novice can find something to enjoy.

Although it is a little out of the way for a traveler on I-70 or I-77 (the former runs through Wheeling, the latter through Parkersburg,) the city of New Martinsville is definitely worth taking a day to explore. Even if you're from the local area in either Ohio, Pennsylvania, or other counties in West Virginia, there's always something new to explore, even in such a small town. So take a break from the hectic pace of life and visit New Martinsville. You'll be glad you did.