An iconic spot on Mercer Street in Princeton, West Virginia, Jimmie’s Restaurant continues to serve its customers and its community with a fresh start and a fresh menu.
Owner Jimmy Hall says he and his family would often drive by the once-bustling, hot-spot for small dining that got its start in 1922. Hall says seeing it closed made him consider taking a giant step to reopening it.
“I’ve ran restaurants for over 20 years and I just decided that I really wanted to open one of my own,” Hall said. “I wanted to restore it back to something it used to be.”
The restaurant is quaint and has family appeal with arcade-style classic video games, table tic-tac-toe, and a jukebox. The menu also makes Jimmie’s Restaurant unique.
“We make everything that we possibly can and we make it from scratch,” Hall said. “From our hand-pattied burgers that are made fresh everyday to our dressings.”
Hall says his business was set up for success with the help of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, along with his business coach, Harold Patterson. Hall says the WVSBDC has been there from the very beginning.
“They were there from the time we called, to applying for the loan, to getting a business plan together,” Hall said. “They even helped with our Facebook Page as well as menu planning.”
Hall says he recommends all the services the WVSBDC provides, especially for inexperienced business owners.
WV SBDC is an accredited member of America’s SBDC, a federal partner with the SBA and a state partner with the WV Department of Economic Development.
WV SBDC business coaches have professional certifications ranging from exporting, innovation, technology and economic development, to finance, management, marketing and entrepreneurship.
For information about starting a small business in WV and resources for entrepreneurs, visit wvsbdc.com.