Clementine’s Cantina and the Rebirth of Elkins’ Downtown Business District

by Ana Lucia Ubalde

Immersed among century-old brick-exposed storefronts on Davis Avenue, Clementine’s Cantina stands out with its bright white exterior and bold orange details, creating a fresh presence in Elkins’ historic downtown. Over the past two years, the restaurant has become a vibrant gathering place in this 7,000-person town nestled in a forested valley in West Virginia. Owners Zackery and Emily Watson have transformed burrito bowls, tacos and quesadillas into a celebration of fresh, flavorful cuisine that is widely appreciated in the community.

At Woodlands Development and Lending (Woodlands), we have witnessed their success through our role as a small business lender, watching them emerge and flourish over time. In 2023, Zackery secured a loan to launch Clementine’s Cantina after learning that Woodlands had supported other local businesses. Since then, our organization has continued to serve as a reliable partner in their growth. Through technical assistance, our advisors have supported the restaurant with resources and information to help them make their business decisions. We facilitated additional funding in 2025 when the restaurant experienced an air-conditioning failure in the height of summer, and we responded quickly to provide the necessary support. As Zackery recalled, “Woodlands jumped right on it. It was a very quick process, and they gave us the financing to get the new A/C.”

At Woodlands, we believe that positive change is a collaborative process, requiring a long-term commitment of time, focus, and resources and our relationship with Clementine’s Cantina exemplifies this principle. As Zackery explained, “The reason we went back to Woodlands was that it was just very convenient. It was an easy process. We already had a relationship with Woodlands, and it was the best thing for us at the time because we’d worked with them before, and we already knew the procedure.”

Experiences like this are not unique to Clementine’s Cantina. At Woodlands, we are committed to providing timely support that allows local businesses to continue operating effectively, as they often encounter unexpected challenges that entrepreneurs may not immediately have the means to navigate. By helping support and sustain a single business, we can use our resources to shape the spirit of the community as a whole. This commitment is central to our downtown revitalization program that focuses on making town centers more attractive to other businesses, residents, and tourists. Clementine’s  community-oriented nature has strengthened their own business and, by bringing people together in Elkins’ downtown district, is creating an ecosystem that encourages other business owners to invest, remain open longer, and diversify the range of commerce in downtown.

Today, Clementine’s Cantina employs 13 individuals, illustrating how financial support for small businesses contributes directly into job creation while simultaneously supporting the growth and strength of the local economy. In addition, the restaurant generates social impact, as it has become a gathering space for college students and residents, hosting live music and community events that foster connection between two communities that haven’t always had many opportunities to interact. As Zackery notes, small businesses are the backbone of small towns — without which, the business ecosystem struggles to stand.