Do Unto Others: Belington’s Historic Building Rises Again

The 120-year-old building survived a 20-year vacancy, fires, weatherization challenges, and the test of time to rise again as a centerpiece, economic driver, and community space in the heart of Belington, WV

We completed the rehabilitation of Belington’s long-vacant Golden Rule Building in December 2020, deep in the throes of the COVID pandemic. The 10 apartment units on the upper two floors filled quickly and have remained full, while the first-floor commercial space took on a different challenge.

The initial commercial tenant pulled out of a deal as they struggled through the pandemic, leaving the town with a beautiful but empty space – large and difficult to heat and cool. Languishing empty, as a nod to the 20 years the building sat vacant after the Shinn Family closed its department store in 1999, Woodlands and the Belington Revitalization Committee recognized that further investment was needed to make the space ready for and appealing to businesses.

Now, in the summer of 2024, that same space is open seven days a week and provides critical social services to residents, a flourishing small bakery and marketplace for art, and retains a community gathering, meeting, and co-working space – as well as nine jobs.

The project was funded with a Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) through USDA Rural Development, with matching funds provided by the Barbour County Commission, the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, and the Belington Revitalization Committee.

Project funds helped develop, create, and install signage around the building, install a fully operational commercial kitchen, indoor and outdoor seating areas, and other upgrades to create a welcoming, accessible, and useful commercial and outdoor space. Five artists and additional local craftspeople and contractors were employed through the grant funding to help with aspects of the project.

The front half of the commercial space is occupied by the Barbour County Family Support Center, which provides food distribution and a wide variety of support services to thousands of local families. In the rear, the Belington Bakery pumps out fresh bagels, pastries, and baked goods every week – catering and fulfilling orders as well as serving as a café and informal coffee shop to residents and visitors from all over. Two local artists currently sell pottery and paintings through the bakery.

Anyone passing through on a Friday or during Saturday or Sunday brunch hours would never mistake Belington for a sleepy town with nothing going on. Rather, one would witness neighbors helping neighbors, community gardens being maintained, kids on a coffee date, and families sharing a comfortable meal together in a beautiful old building with stories of their childhoods and elders.

With the location thriving, it is time to celebrate the successes of this community development project. Woodlands Development Group invites the public to join us on Friday, July 26th, from 10-noon at the Golden Rule to celebrate the again operational building, tour the inside and outside spaces, and witness the reveal of an art quilt made by Mountain State Quilting that will adorn the front display window going forward.

Open House Invitation

July 17, 2024

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