The Inter-Mountain photo by Haley Gordon Cheri Shifflett and Janice Wamsley stand with their respective initials in front of C & J’s restaurant, which will be closing on Sunday after 39.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Haley Gordon
Cheri Shifflett and Janice Wamsley stand with their respective initials in front of C & J’s restaurant, which will be closing on Sunday after 39.

VALLEY BEND — C&J’s Restaurant, a local favorite in Valley Bend, will be closing their doors on Sunday for the last time.

The restaurant, opened under different ownership in 1959, was originally called Bell’s Dairy King and was run by Howard and Ethelyn Bell.

In a letter written to Janice Wamsley, the current owner of C&J’s, Ethelyn recalls her first customer at the Dairy King. “He gave me a dollar; I didn’t have any change and he told me to keep the change,” said Bell.

Bell speaks about how special the Dairy King was, right off the bat. “The Dairy King turned out to be a popular place,” she said. “Several fellows found their wives working at ‘The DK.'”

Bell even mentioned the locations most famous ice cream flavor, raspberry soft serve. “It was very popular and still is today,” she said. The original location also used to sell seven hot dogs for one dollar.

Both Janice Wamsley and her daughter, Cheri Shifflett, were drawn to purchasing this property in 1981 in part because Cheri had worked there when she was younger.

“It was just the kitchen area and the small dining room (…) and it was walk-up window, only,” Shifflett said. about the building when they opened.

She said Groceries were sold out of part of the building until Shifflett and Wamsley renovated to add more room.

“We’ve always done home cooking. Mom’s got a famous apple dumpling recipe that we still make, so it’s been very busy for us,” said Shifflett.

When asked about some of the challenges of running C&J’s, Shifflett admitted that the location wasn’t always ideal.

“A lot of people think it’s a long way to drive from Elkins to here to eat,” she said. Despite that, the business has attracted a healthy crowd of regulars.

When asked about the reason for closing C&J’s, Wamsley stated with a smile, “Well, I’m 83.”

She explained that after battles with health issues as well as years of hard work and dedication to the community, it was finally time to call it quits.

“It’ll be emotional because we have one employee that came with the business when we bought it,” said Shifflett. “She’s been here with us for 39 years.”

Wamsley did mention that the pair are hoping to sell the business in the future, so that it won’t be closed for too long.

“It’s been a challenge from the beginning. You always look for a way to improve and you just keep trying,” said Wamsley. “But, I think we’ve done well.”

Shifflett also wanted to extend her heartfelt gratitude to the customers and employees who have supported their business for so many years.