The feeling of home and sense of nostalgia hit when I entered Main Street in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
Hi, I'm Adison, and I am the Advertising Director for BrandJRNY. I had previously found that same feeling about two hours up the road on Main Street in Bridgeport, WV. That's the place I call home.
Working as the Advertising Director, I knew one of my primary tasks would be creating and maintaining relationships. During our immersion trip, I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with many of the business owners from the Main Street Merchants. Thirteen businesses on Main Street are part of this group in Point Pleasant.
The goal of introducing myself to the business owners was to meet face-to-face and talk about an advertising plan we had created for the business. As the day progressed, I realized while the business owners and I were talking about advertising, we were also talking about their stories. Each business had a unique story to tell, and I was more than happy to listen.
When I walked in Siders Jewelers, I felt right at home. This may have been because I was surrounded by jewelry, but the best part was the story behind it. Joanne, the owner, greeted me and invited me to sit down as we began chatting.
During our conversation, I learned Siders is a second-generation jewelry store. Harry Siders started working with watch repairs in Rainelle, West Virginia, in 1947. He then married his wife, and they moved back to his hometown and opened Siders in 1977. In 2003, David and his wife Jo Anne opened the store on Main Street in Point Pleasant. The Sider family name has been involved with jewelry repairs and business for over 70 years!
The community and its residents' stories are so special. I was taken aback when I realized that the city's residents and local business owners enjoyed Point Pleasant as much, if not more, as I did as a visitor.
I had a great time talking with many different business owners and learning about their stories. The work ethic and sense of community was something I noticed as I walked into every door on Main Street. The pride and rich history of Point Pleasant is no stranger to the Main Street Merchants. Stories truly do begin here in Point Pleasant, WV.
My name is Adison Ammons, and I am the Advertising Director for BrandJRNY's Point Pleasant Project. You can find me in my spare time at chick-fil-a or browsing around Target. Follow me through our journey on various social media platforms @adison_elizabethhh.