I'm new to Charleston, WV...

lakwriter

lakwriter

New member
Hi all,

My husband was recently transferred for work to Charleston, WV. I'm going to be living part-time in WV and part-time at home in Pittsburgh for 2 years. Since I'm gonna have a lot of free time on my hands during the day, I'm looking for something to do.

I'm told there are a couple cool LFSs in the area. Can you give me some specifics? I'm near Cross Lanes, WV. Are there any public aquariums within driving distance?

Are there any other interesting attractions or sights I should check out?

Are there any really good restaurants? All I seem to find are chain places.

Thanks!
 
There are 4 LFS. Fuji's is off the Davis Creek exit of 119 (near target) JoMars is in Nitro. The other 2 aren't worth seeing IMHO.

There aren't any aquariums close but there is the Clay Center museum downtown that is really nice. There is a WV museum in the capital complex that is intresting. I'm not sure but there are a few fall type festivals this time of year. The New River is about an hour away but you should check out Bridge day.

For food I like Soho's in the farmers market, Power alley grill at the baseball field, Blues BBQ near the clay center (there used to be an awsome cajun place there).
 
Let me know what day your going back to Pittsburg. You can drop by my house and get some free frags. I have quite a few I need to thin out.
 
Well as far as public aquariums, outside of the LFS's the closest around here would be the Kanawha River and Ritenour Lake in Nitro, LOL. Not to be a smart a@# but there are none around here.

LFS's Jo-Mars in Nitro which is on the main drag across the railroad tracks from the High School. Fuji's Reef Shop which is off the So. Charleston exit of I-64 on Jefferson road. Those are the best around I think. Inland Reef is a LFS in Cross Lanes which has Saltwater stuff but not as extensive as the other two. It is on Cross Lanes drive between Cross Lanes and Nitro (about 1/2 mile from Rite Aide).

Restaurants, mostly chains around here however there are a few locally owned that are good. Rio Grande in Nitro and Teays Valley are good if you like Mexican. Several Chinese/Asian restaurants around (all about the same to me). Charleston has several nice restaurants and/or bistro type places Soho's, Brigdge Road Bistro are a couple that are a lil pricey for this area (not really high but higher than most) but have good lunch and dinner stuff. Then true HIGH END, Laury's, Chop House both in Charleston and Aubry's Yorkshire Pub in St. Albans.

There's my two cents worth.
 
There are two more salt waters stores in town. Petland out on Corridor G and Pet Persuasion in Spring Hill. Neither have a lot in the coral department but Pet Persuasion can get most stuff if you ask.

If your a fan of Sushi there is Sushi Atlantic on Shrewsbury St. that is hands down the best japanese restraunt in town.

There is a bunch of things to see and do between Charleston and the New River Bridge. We spent a day a couple weeks ago roaming around up that way.

What kinda frags you got essop?
 
Thanks for all the help! I'm pretty excited to be here. Seems easy to get around (I've only been here 2 days and haven't gotten lost yet) and everyone's real nice.

Essop, thanks for the offer, I'll probably take you up on it in a few weeks. Luckily, I've trained my mother pretty well to care for my tank at home so I can keep it even though I'll be gone 8-12 days a month.

Thanks for the tips on the food, restaurants, attractions, and LFSs. I can't wait to check it all out!
 
If you don't mind a little drive Bert's Pet Center is about an hour away in Ashland, KY. They have ~2600 gallons of salt with a few hundred dedicated to corals of all types.
Along with JoMar's and Fuji's they are sponsors of our club.
Here's a link
with addresses, hours etc. to some of the local and not so local stores :)
 
Just got back from Fuji's. What a fabulous store! Nicer than some of those we have in Pittsburgh! Thanks for the tip.
 
Did everyone know that Fuji is starting a Japanese take-out next to the fish store? He just told me yesterday that he got the Health Dept AOK.
 
I heard that, it will be good for you guys to experience the art of Japanese Sushi by a true master the man makes the best I have ever tasted anywhere.
 
The old restaurant had a lot of Japanese dishes but I don't know what will be on the menu at this one. We talked about this a year or so ago and he asked if I thought it would be a good idea. I said it certainly would be an original idea and at the time we talked about sushi only but knowing Fuji I think it may start with that and go from there. It depends on how successful the restaurant side turns out, either way if you have neer eaten af "Fuji's" your in for quite a treat.
 
I fear that Fuji is trying to phase out the aquaria business with the restaurant. Lately he's been downhearted about how slow the business has been through the summer. I bluntly asked him last week when we were talking about the restaurant and I asked him if he was going to be able to balance both businesses (one is tough enough, trust me) and he kinda shrugged and said "no money in fish business". I would hate to see Fuji go out of business. He has become a good friend since I first met him when he opened his doors. Took me a while to be able to understand him good, but I don't have a problem conversing with him now. It's just good to have several GOOD LFS' in the area. I usually try to visit them all when I am in town. I am 1.5 hours away from them all, a little farther from Berts. Jim has an awesome store too, but it's just a little too far to drive most of the time for me.
 
I'd hate that, too. He's a very cool guy. And very energetic. Every time I go into the store, he's done something new -- pricing boards, rearranging, upgrading. I think he can handle both. Just watch for missing fish ...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10856023#post10856023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joyski58
Just watch for missing fish ...
Click to expand...
I've been trying so hard not to point out the irony of a fish store/sushi combo. :D
I think Phishy Business is near a Sushi restaurant too.
Lately he's been downhearted about how slow the business has been through the summer.
Click to expand...
From talking with Jim over the years it's always slow during the summer. Not much comfort if you're trying to pay the bills but at least it's "normal".
 
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