The rainy skies did not dampen the spirits at the grand opening of Bridgewalk Vendors on Friday, Apr. 19, at the Visitors Center in Alderson.

Led by Barbara Bowling and Lynda Howe, this new shop has a wide variety of gift ideas from delicious West Virginia sourced foods to jewelry, signs, T-shirts, and more.

The proprietors will also continue to perform the visitors center function by providing information and brochures to all who stop to inquire. Their hours are 10 a.m. to  5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and on Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. during the Community Market.

The Visitors Center will continue to host the Community Market which will open for the season on Apr. 30 as well as other special events such as the Strawberry Festival on May 25.

Mayor Travis Copenhaver said, “We are excited to have the Visitors Center open on a regular basis. I know Alderson Main Street has struggled to make this happen and this new shop is a great solution for all. They also have some really neat stuff. Have you seen the T-shirts with drawings that show their colors in the sun?”