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Churn changes its ownership

BELPRE – The Churn in Belpre has changed ownership, but everything will remain as it has been.

The Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce joined with The Churn Restaurant and Lark’s Nest gift shop, at 1500 Washington Blvd., Belpre, in celebrating a transfer of ownership of The Churn at a “Landing” ceremony this past Monday.

Tyler West, a former employee of the busy lunch stop for almost five years, became the new owner effective Jan. 1, taking over from Jon Wotring. He is continuing the restaurant’s tradition of freshly prepared sandwiches, soups, salads and specialties Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

“I really like it here,” he said. “I have been here for a while and I really didn’t feel like quitting or leaving.”

The Wotrings were changing their priorities in life and were looking for a change. They asked West if he wanted to take over the business.

“I thought about it for a while and eventually I said yes,” West said.

West is planning to keep everything as is for the time being. He is looking into the possibility of staying open later in the springtime and into the summer to do dinners in the early evenings until 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

“The menu will remain the same,” he said. “We will continue to have our specials through the week.”

The specials include hot roast beef on Mondays, taco salad on Tuesdays, baked steak on Wednesdays, cook’s choice on Thursday and fish and chips on Fridays.

West said he learned a lot from working with Wotring over the years and hopes to continue to make people happy who stop by regularly.

“I hope to keep the good customer base that we have had for a while,” he said. “A lot of people have been coming in. I hope they will continue.”

Jon Wotring, along with his wife, Angela, and his parents Bill and Carol are continuing to support West through the transition, with Carol continuing ownership of the adjacent Lark’s Nest, which offers handmade decor items, jewelry, seasonal decorations and gifts, plus items on consignment from artists and crafters from the local area.

Belpre Chamber Executive Director Karen Waller said it was good for the community that the Churn and the Lark’s Nest will remain in business.

“It is comforting when an established business stays operational,” she said. “For many in the community, (The Churn) is a lunchtime offering.”

For a young man who started as an employee to learn the business and take over is a positive as West is from the community.

“It is a good transition,” Waller said.

West said he wants to bring more attention to their deli counter.

“All of our meats and cheeses come from Amish country,” he said. “We have fresh deli sides, like macaroni salad, potato salad, broccoli salad and fruit cups.

“Everything is fresh. We don’t order anything in.”

The Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors Landing events to give member businesses an opportunity to showcase goods and services while opening doors for others to visit, Waller said.

“It’s a fun way to highlight what Belpre has to offer to members as well as residents,” she said. “Everyone is welcome to stop in at a ‘Landing,’ whether a member or not.

“We like to see fellow Belpre businesses support each other, and residents can show appreciation for businesses choosing to do business in the Belpre area. This is an ‘everyone come’ type event.”

As he takes over the business, West wants to serve the customers well so they will continue to frequent his business.

“I just want to make sure that person is happy when they leave and hope they come back again,” he said. “That is what I am trying to do.”

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