An impromptu opening and some unique first customers generated a lot of excitement at the Greenbrier River Interpretative Center on Tuesday, May 08, 2012, as the crew of the batteau replicating the Marshall Expedition stopped for coffee.

With the opening planned for the next day, Judy Lewallen, President of Alderson Main Street, raced to get the coffee made and turn on the cash register. Author Belinda Anderson took advantage of the seating to interview Captain Andrew Shaw and members of the crew.

Those who stopped in were curious about the new life of the old Gulf Service Station. It will contain a ‘river room’ with exhibits about river ecology and a 3-dimensional map of the Greenbrier River provided by Friends of the Lower Greenbrier River; an ‘Alderson room’ containing information about the history of Alderson and copies of old photos; and the ‘coffee shop’ with coffee, soft drinks, and water available as well as pie and other sweet treats. Scattered throughout will be gardening supplies, plants, decorative items, Alderson items, and more.

Staffed by volunteers, all the proceeds will go to Alderson Main Street.

Shaw said, “We are really feelin’ the love in West Virginia.” as he and members of the crew drank their coffee and looked around.

The restoration of this building began as a dream of Vivian Pranulis of Wolf Creek Printery, who saw immense potential in the prominently located old Gulf station. She requested and gained the support of Alderson Main Street to purchase the land and building and re-purpose it for an attractive and useful life. Many, many grants, much hard physical work, and eleven years later, the Greenbrier River Interpretative Center and Main Street Coffee Shop will officially open on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. The hours will be Wednesday through Friday from 9-4 and Saturday from 8:30-4.


Saturday mornings are expected to be especially busy as the GRIC will be open in conjunction with the Alderson Community Market, sponsored by Alderson Main Street and the Town of Alderson.

Judy Lewallen said, “We hope to provide a place for people to learn about the Greenbrier River and Alderson and get a sweet treat for their journey—whether a few yards or many miles. We are just so excited to have this place finally open!”

Kevin Ferrell, crew member of the batteau replicating the Marshall Expedition, buys an Alderson T-shirt from Judy Lewallen, President of Alderson Main Street at the quickly opened Greenbrier River Interpretative Center.

Happy crew members from the batteau replicating the journey of the Marshall Expedition of 1812. L to R: Isaac Schumaker, Kevin Ferrell, Captain Andrew Shaw, and Wesley Andrews.

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