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Do you know of the oldest family-operated eatery in Parkersburg? In 1928, in an effort to capitilize on the several industries that operated along Camden Avenue in South Parkersburg, Andrew Valos began to supply a basic need for the workers---fast, inexpensive food. At the time, that section of South Parkersburg was booming. The Viscose plant had just began production, Ames-Baldwin-Wyoming, Porcelain Works, the Mountain State Foundry and other business', within a close proximity,were going strong. Residentially, the old Shattuck Park, which was nearby, was being developed for homes. All this created a great opportunity for Mr. Valos.

Mr. Valos followed advice that is still applicable today---keep it simple. In nearly 80 years, the menu has changed very little, hot dogs, hamburgers, drink and a soup, all served with the expected condiments. However, for many years catsup was not offered. He had been told that if you don't use catsup, you'll make money---catsup has to be refrigerated.,
Mrs. Marie Smith, who later, through marriage, became part owner of the resturant, remembers that when she was a student at Fairplains Elementary, the kids were permitted to cross the street and get lunch at the sandwich shop. For her 25 cents, she would get 2 hot dogs, soup and a drink. This was before schools offered "hot" lunches.

Catering to the nearby factories required that the eatery be open twenty-four hours a day. The news article shown above reported that "The bandits, armed with revolvers, entered the all-night establishment and held several customers at bay while they compelled the clerk behind the counter to open the cash register." This somewhat exciting piece of history was in recent years given to the present owners by Margaret Bush, who was working at the sandwich shop when the robbery occurred.
   Mrs Smith also remembers that as a teenager, the all-night establishment offered a place for she and her friends to go in the middle of the night---apparently the old jukebox was available 24/7!
   Over the many decades that the sandwich shop has offered hot dogs, the recipe for the sauce has not changed---it is still good and still a secret! In the 1960's, the Sandwich Shop was next to Ralph's Market in the use of Stork Bread products; they would use many dozens of buns.
   Though many of the plants have now closed, the Broadway Sandwich Shop is still a bustling place from 11:00 til 6pm. The four women who "take care of business" work in unison, often like a machine; one doing dogs, another hamburgers, another drinks and the fourth bagging and taking money. Their business is mostly carry-out. A "goefer" will often go to bring lunch back for a whole office or several co-workers. But they still cater to many plant workers, such as myself who often reinforce their great memories of a fast, tasty and inexpensive dog