West Virginia traditions

Some traditions have emerged related to my family's annual trek to West Virginia.

My son gets his growing feet measured and a new pair of tennis shoes, courtesy of Grandma Edna, at Allen's Bootery in Moundsville. And we eat lunch at Coleman's Fish Market in central Wheeling.

I frequented both venues as a child. And they really haven't changed all that much.

The decor at Allen's is the same as it was 40 years ago: the same light blue leather and wooden chairs, the same two-sided display table in the center of the store, and boxes of shoes shelved neatly along the outer walls. You can still buy Stride Rite shoes and Buster Brown socks. And the clerk first measures your foot then brings you the shoes in your correct size that they have in stock.

A long lunch line still snakes up to the fish market counter where you pick up your order of fish sandwiches and coleslaw or fries. Being a predominantly Catholic community, it's always longer on Fridays and during Lent. The menu hasn't varied much, though booths have replaced wooden picnic tables and the once screened dining area has been enclosed in glass.