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The Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau has been somewhat of a visitor itself since a fire on March 28, 2008 destroyed its original offices in the Marlinton Depot.

Since that time, the staff has served the tourist population from a temporary site in the VanReenen House on Second Avenue.
The CVB moved into its new digs on Main Street last week, in the former Pocahontas Pharmacy, later Christie's and Grandfather's Pantry location.

Among its first visitors were Kelly and Pam Ritter, of Winchester, Virginia.

The Ritters, like many of the county's visitors, were just passing through.

"When you take a couple of days off, you can't stay at home with all that work looking at you," said Kelly.ﾠ "So we go somewhere and look at other people's work."

Maybe that is what drew the Ritters to the CVB, because some serious work had been going on there. Everything was moved to the new location on Wednesday, and by Friday things were beginning to take shape.

Shirley Adams, the official greeter and Information Specialist, was at her post to welcome visitors.

"I do two things," Adams laughed. "I give out information and I get people lost, and I do a good job at both."

In a town where high water is always a possibility, the CVB staff and building committee with the help of former mayor Dennis Driscoll made a wise decision and elevated the offices in the back of the building.

"We are very glad to be here," said CVB Executive Director Cara Rose. "We purchased the building last August, so it's been nearly a year in the making."

Rose became the first director of the CVB in 1989, serving in that capacity for nine years.

"We were looking for a permanent home even then," she said.
After 13-and-a-half years as supervisor of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Science Center, Rose returned to the CVB director's seat in May 2011.

That seat is in the long-sought permanent location, which she shares with Adams, Marketing Specialist Gail Hyer, Groups and Events Coordinator Sarah Shearer-Irvine and Office Manager Linda Adams.

The Second Avenue site served the CVB's purpose these past few years, but there was a decline in foot traffic as it was off the beaten path.

"It's not difficult to find us now," Rose said.ﾠ "Actually, it will be nearly impossible to miss us."