Fayette County cafe reopens

Nestled comfortably in a “holler” between Hawks Nest State Park and the breathtaking Cathedral Falls sits the Chimney Corner Cafe and Amphitheater — a “hole in the wall” with great history and even better food.

The Chimney Corner Cafe, at 15328 Midland Trail in Ansted, and the country store across the street sit in the heart of Appalachia in Fayette County, “where the 60 and the 16 meet on the Midland Trail.”

The Chimney Corner Country Store was built in the late 1920s and has been around longer than both the New River Gorge Bridge and U.S. 19.

Since its creation, it has been a Greyhound bus depot, a speakeasy during Prohibition, a restaurant, and now a country store.

The store is filled with character, charm and goodies. Inside are candles, primitive decor, books about the region, Chimney Corner apparel and much more.

But the old country store is not only part of Chimney Corner with an interesting history.

The Chimney Corner Cafe and Amphitheater has opened, closed, and reopened several times in the past decade.

In 2008, Jim Campbell and his wife bought the cafe from its previous owner, Richard Fetty.

Campbell stated that he has been in the event production business for almost 40 years and that his background in this profession helped him see the potential of Chimney Corner.

He had been renovating the Page Vawter house in Ansted, and when he saw the cafe — then called the Ain’t Ya Et Yet Cafe — Campbell knew he wanted to fix it up as well.

Before opening the cafe, Campbell built the amphitheater, extended the cafe, and did some other remodeling projects as an attempt to bring in more customers.

He said he was “trying to bring that Appalachian feel into a little tourist spot.”

Campbell said although tourists loved the cafe’s “hillbilly” name, the locals did not. As a joke, Campbell changed the cafe’s name to the Ain’t Open Yet Cafe, while all the renovations were taking place.

Along with the reopening came the cafe’s new name — The Chimney Corner Cafe and Amphitheater.

When the Campbell family opened the cafe in August 2008, it was a huge success. The renovations along with the live music and new menu brought in more customers than ever.

However, running the cafe simply didn’t fit Campbell’s busy lifestyle. Over the next nine years, Campbell tried leasing to several different people, all of whom failed to keep the cafe afloat.

Some did better than others, but no one could seem to attract enough people. The cafe was closed for several years because, according to Campbell, he became very picky over choosing leasers due to past experiences.

That was until last year, when Kim Blake and Robert “Bob” Harrington came into town.

“I clicked with them and saw the vision they had for the cafe... that is why I chose them,” Campbell shared.

Campbell said he liked that this new couple “saw the potential that the cafe had.”

“It is a difficult location to draw people to without having something to draw them in with. This place has great potential. Kim and Bob saw that, too.”

Blake said she and Harrington would drive past the cafe, imagining its future. It became their getaway.

The couple opened the cafe for a few months last year, and were so successful they opened it again in April. Because it is open to the elements, the cafe is closed during the colder months.

So, what have Blake and Harrington been doing differently? What has brought them success when so many others have failed?

This question can be answered in two words — meats and music.

Blake and Harrington have incorporated a well-rounded menu, but they have also integrated a smoker into the cafe.

“Our most popular item on the menu is the smoked ribs,” Blake confirmed.

Blake said the meat is smoked for several hours and then smothered in an array of homemade rubs and sauces.

Campbell agreed with the success of the smoker, saying “it is a fitting thing to have there.”

As far as the music is concerned, Lewisburg musician Jim Snyder had nothing but praise for the cafe.

“It is one of the coolest places in this area that I have ever performed.”

Snyder performed at the cafe over a decade ago and has returned to pick up where he left off.

Snyder made sure to comment on the success of the amphitheater as well.

“When you’re playing acoustic instruments in an environment where acoustic instruments came from, there’s a connection … trees have secret language. There’s something spiritual about that. It is kind of indescribable the way you can connect. I feel that connection here.”

Customers seem to sense this connection too as most have them have commented on the atmosphere of the cafe.

Campbell stated that people fell in love with the cafe when they walked in.

“Folks, this place is worth the drive to visit. Great smoked meats, live entertainment, local craft beer on tap…,” one customer wrote on the cafe’s Facebook page.

“Great food and amazing atmosphere! We made so many memories here!” another stated.

Additional information about the cafe, its menu, hours, and events can be found on its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChimneyCornerCafe or by calling the cafe at 304-632-1010.

Visit my Blog: https://www.guaripetesolutions.us/fayette-county-cafe-reopens/