By Jack Houvouras
HQ 56 | SUMMER/AUTUMN 2005
As the publisher and editor of a magazine about Huntington, W.Va., people from out of town often ask me what makes this region so unique. “What do you find to write about?” they sometimes inquire. “Don’t you ever run out of story ideas?”
This edition of the magazine is a perfect answer to all of those queries. What makes Huntington unique is a combination of small city charm, rich history, raw natural beauty and, most importantly, the people.
Our cover story this issue focuses on Huntington’s beloved restaurant magnate Rocco Muriale. The region’s “Prince of Pasta,” as we dubbed him back in 1990, is one of the most unique characters you will ever meet. A talented chef who has a cult following at his namesake eatery in Ceredo, he is also an accomplished entrepreneur. Over the years he has expanded his business several times to include additional restaurants, catering services and marketing a frozen line of foods on a local level. His latest undertaking is far more ambitious – Rocco has constructed a 10,000 square foot plant to help launch his food products nationwide.
Rocco isn’t the only restauranteur in the region who’s on the go. Ron Smith, owner of the beloved Chili Willi’s Mexican Cantina, recently moved to a new, larger location to accommodate his huge following. In addition to his restaurant, Ron, like many Huntingtonians, gives back to the community in numerous ways including founding the region’s annual ChiliFest, serving on the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority and more. Look for our profile on Ron and Chili Willi’s in this issue.
Huntington, founded in 1871, is filled with interesting stories from its historic past. In this issue you can read about Heiner’s Bakery, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Founded in a small apartment on Huntington’s west end, today the family-run bakery is a thriving division of the Sara Lee Corporation that employs more than 400 people.
Huntington is fortunate to have a major university near the heart of its downtown. In this issue you can read about the institution’s new president, Dr. Stephen Kopp. An impressive scholar who studied at Notre Dame and the University of Illinois, Kopp sheds light on why he wanted to come to Marshall and Huntington: “I’ve had the opportunity to get to know a number of people…who are graduates of Marshall, and who really love this university. I think it was a combination of the people, their love of the university and coming in contact with the community. After the first interview with the search committee, I began to fully appreciate what a remarkable place and opportunity this is.”
Of course no city would be truly unique without its cast of colorful characters and Huntington has more than its fair share. In this issue you’ll meet Rocco as well as another gentleman from the Ceredo-Kenova region who has become somewhat famous in his own right – Ric Griffith. Each Halloween Griffith puts on a dazzling display of some 3,000-lighted pumpkins at his charming Victorian home. Spectators from around the region visit “The Pumpkin House” each fall to see his glowing home.
Finally, to see what truly makes Huntington unique, all you need to do is read the letters that we receive each issue from subscribers who have moved away from the region. In them you will find the warm sentiment that so many Huntingtonians feel for the town they will always call home.
