Things We Love Made in West Virginia

Blenko Glass Company honors the craft of hand-blown glass. Located in my hometown of Milton, West Virginia, you'll find a factory and retail store that houses hand-blown vases, glassware, pitchers, home decor, and more. Given their craftsmanship, the items retain their value and often become collectors' items. Blenko Glass Company has been in business since 1893. Shop the Blenko Glass Company website or find a few select pieces on Amazon.

The craftspeople at Cabin Creek Quilts have taken the skill of making quilts from utilitarian to art. Their quilts feature timeless patterns with bright, bold colors. You'll be torn between using them or displaying them, but we say do both. You'll also find quilted star ornaments similar to those displayed on one of the White House Christmas trees.

If you're wondering why we would feature a bakery, we have three words: original pepperoni roll. Located in Fairmont, West Virginia, Country Club Bakery continues to roll out these amazing pepperoni rolls that originated in the 1920s. Italian immigrant Guiseppe "Joseph" Argiro decided it would be more convenient if the pepperoni were baked inside a soft, white, Italian bread. During the baking process, the fats in the pepperoni infuse the dough with spicy goodness. They became so popular with Argiro's fellow coal miners that he quit the mines and opened Country Club Bakery in 1927...and they're still in business. The bakery ships their pepperoni rolls to all 50 states.

You know these dishes for their bright colors. You might even collect them. What you might not know is that Fiesta is made in Newell, West Virginia. Since 1871, the makers have been crafting this beautiful dinnerware and remain one of the only few made in USA dishware companies. When much of today's dinnerware chips and cracks, especially when placed in the microwave, Fiesta Ware holds steady, strong, and colorful. Order through the store, at local retailers, or on Amazon.

Gat Creek Custom Furniture makes solid wood furniture from trees in the nearby forests of the Appalachian Mountains and using sustainable practices. Located in West Virginia's Eastern panhandle, the company employs local people, affording them a fair wage. Gat Creek is loyal to its community and country. Their heirloom-quality, custom wood furniture is beautiful and will last forever.

Gurkee's Rope Sandals have been featured in the likes of GQ, Vogue, Elle Girl, and more. The company makes a soft, comfortable rope from carpet yarn in their own factory, and then they turn the rope into stylish, comfy sandals, flip flops, and gladiator shoes. Gurkee's Rope Sandals have been in business for over 30 years.

Holl’s Chocolates is a small, family-owned business that specializes in creating traditional Swiss chocolates. The small business started in a home in 1986 and today continues to be a family-owned and operated business. Their milk chocolates are amazing. Also, try their dessert sauce, and when in season, their chocolate-covered strawberries.

You'll find Imperial Bedding mattresses on all the beds at the world-renown Greenbrier Resort in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia. Imperial Bedding makes mattresses in its Huntington factory using all USA-made materials, including its inner springs and memory foam. The company has been in business since 1969 and is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. The foam is certified pure. Imperial Bedding makes a special sized dorm mattress, and almost all the regular mattresses are two sided for long-lasting comfort.

When I learned about an ancient sea that runs underneath the Appalachian Mountains, I was astounded, to say the least. J. Q. Dickinson Salt-Works gleans its brine from this nature-given source and then is dried in the sun and mountain air. The salt is free of contaminants or heavy metals that may be found in other natural salt sources. You can tour the location near Charleston and see how the salt is derived.

Known as "The Father of the Modern Steel Drum Instrument," Dr. Ellie Mannette hand-crafted steel drums in Morgantown. He dedicated his life to teaching others how to make the drums, and his work is showcased at the Smithsonian Institution. While Dr. Mannette is no longer living, his instruments continue to be crafted by the staff at Mannette Musical Instruments. All the manufacturing is done in Morgantown, with the drums being purchased in Ohio and the chrome finish in Pittsburgh.

Marble King is one of only two USA-made marble companies, where over one million marbles are made daily. Marble King is also home to the first American-made cat’s eye marble. You can teach your kids to play the traditional Marbles game, or you can buy marbles for other games that require their use.

Mr. Bee Potato Chips, located in Parkersburg, makes nine flavors of chips and has been doing so since 1951. The company produces 1,200 pounds of potato chips per hour, making 90 bags per minute.

In a time when many of our musical instruments are produced outside the USA, you can still find a few makers sprinkled here and there, including Robert Rose Guitars. Dr. Rose, a retired surgeon, crafts guitars from local and specialty woods. He embellishes them with custom designed and hand cut pāua and abalone shell figures and fonts. The guitars are constructed in the classic C.F. Martin style. Dr. Rose also has a trademark on a folding wooden instrument stand.