Observations from a scouting visit to Huntington, WV (Charleston, Parkersburg: rent, mortgage)

[nikongirl24]

Never really cared about whether or not they sold Alcohol on Sundays-- we don't drink. :P

I think South Point, OH is a "dry" town though, it's right across the bridge and I notice that they don't carry alcoholic beverages. My roommate was VERY mad about that. Lol.

We're Jewish anyway... nothing is ever open for us on Sunday's, but we're used to it.

[CTMountaineer]

Bible Belters tend to do more of their drinking behind closed doors
on average. In general, they drink as much as anyone else. It's
just that their sub culture will not permit being as open about it.
That is generally modified in towns with large college age
populations. But, most college students do not vote in the towns
in which their colleges are located so in the Bible Belt, even in
college towns, local norms mostly prevail in the legal system.

[tbailey1138]

Originally Posted by CTMountaineer

Right... state law does not prohibit selling alcohol on Sunday if local law permits it. It is not permitted in Huntington because they do not permit it. It is permitted in most of the northern towns, thus state law does not prohibit it there. West Virginia seems to be moving more in the direction of home rule and local option. Personally, I believe that to be a good thing. I can see no logical reason why I should be prohibited from enjoying a glass of wine with my meal in Morgantown just because it is a Sunday. Fortunately, I can get it.

If you'd read my other post, you'd see that I researched further and found that per state law, beer and wine can be sold after 1PM anywhere local law permits but NOT liquor. Liquor is most of what clubs sell so it's not advantageous for most of them to be open on Sundays. So yes, state law does prohibit selling some alcohol on Sunday but again, they are working to change this. You can enjoy your wine most places in the state on Sundays it would seem, even in Huntington which is in the Bible Belt.

[njac]

so just how Bible-Belty are we talking here?

[nikongirl24]

I have lived here all my life and I have never really considered WV to be that bible belty. There are always going to be people who try and shove things in your face-- the Northern part of the state is bad for that. We are Jewish and I have only had a handful of instances where it was really brought up or an issue. There are churches EVERYWHERE here, but the street over from the churches, there are the bars and the frat houses. So, half dozen of one, half dozen of another.

Depends on your def. of "bible belty".

[CTMountaineer]

Originally Posted by nikongirl24

I have lived here all my life and I have never really considered WV to be that bible belty. There are always going to be people who try and shove things in your face-- the Northern part of the state is bad for that. We are Jewish and I have only had a handful of instances where it was really brought up or an issue. There are churches EVERYWHERE here, but the street over from the churches, there are the bars and the frat houses. So, half dozen of one, half dozen of another.

Depends on your def. of "bible belty".

Maybe Jewish folks don't recognize the distinction. But, among
Christians that region of West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and
western Virginia are considered to be in the Bible Belt....
primarily fundamentalist, literal bible oriented Christians. I'm
not saying that is either good or bad... it is only an observation.
It does affect local norms about such things as drinking.

I'd be curious to see if Bailey would research as to whether or not
beer and wine can actually be purchased in a club or a restaurant
in Huntington on Sunday. I would have thought there would also
have been exceptions to the Sunday liquor sales. I'm not even sure
one way or the other about Morgantown regarding liquor on Sunday
but am not aware of any prohibitions on any kind of alcohol after
1pm in Ohio County.

Here is what I found... apparently Sunday liquor sales are now
allowed after 1pm in West Virginia in counties that permit it.
My hunch is that means it won't happen in Huntington, but will
happen in the northern areas of the State and in areas where
there is located a casino. I'd be real surprised if I couldn't get
a bourbon and water on Sunday in Morgantown now.

See the link:

http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/wvlegis/news9.shtml

[Retired Navy]

Originally Posted by tbailey1138

If you'd read my other post, you'd see that I researched further and found that per state law, beer and wine can be sold after 1PM anywhere local law permits but NOT liquor. Liquor is most of what clubs sell so it's not advantageous for most of them to be open on Sundays. So yes, state law does prohibit selling some alcohol on Sunday but again, they are working to change this. You can enjoy your wine most places in the state on Sundays it would seem, even in Huntington which is in the Bible Belt.

Evidently the County implements and enforces the ordinances regarding liquor sales on Sunday. Here in Jackson county one can buy and consume any legal (no moonshine) alcoholic beverage after 1PM on Sunday.

[mattbward]

Good gracious, I never thought people would spend so much time talking about booze on a thread where that was a tiny part of the topic.

If you want a beer with your meal on a sunday, go to Chilli Willi's. They serve beer on Sunday, just like I said in my initial post. I know, I drank one...

And I agree with what a poster above said, I think Huntington 5-10 years from starting to show positive population growth and economic true growth again. I will keep it in the pipe and review this in a few years. As for now, it would be better for what I am looking for to live in the booming areas between Huntington and Charleston (Teays Valley, Scott Depot etc...)

Thanks all!

[CTMountaineer]

Putnam County has shown positive growth. Check out Hurricane... nice folks there.

[vec101]

Don't know if WV is considered part of the Bible Belt but ....
I grew up in NE Ohio, when I moved to the Chas area was really surprised to see how packed the roads are on Wednesday nights with people going to church.