A Historic Space Inspires a Community-Focused Dream
From the beautiful built-in bar to the gorgeous hardwood floors, Corinne and Tom Beary quickly realized the historic former VFW at 2160 National Road would be perfect for making their business dreams a reality. The space itself inspired the remarkable idea for Wheeling’s first-ever refill store! The bar helped bring the refillery vision to life, with the perfect long wall behind it for dry goods dispensers.
Corinne had always wanted to shop at a food refillery for their blended family of six, but they’re more common in big cities and had never felt accessible in the small town they love. Their expanded storefront now makes that dream a reality—while also supporting local makers and the local economy.
Appalachian Homestead already stocks plenty of pantry staples: spices, soaps, coffee, seeds, taco seasoning, teas, nuts, wheat berries, beans, quinoa, pasta, chocolate chips, sugar, oats, popcorn, rice, and cornmeal—with more coming every week. Local vendors supply honey, maple syrup, microgreens, body care items, houseplants, reusable paper towels, and artisan goods. If they don’t carry something yet, customers can simply make a request. This is truly a community-centered business, serving collective local needs.
Being hit with devastating flooding wasn’t part of their business plan—but more on that later. When asked about positive surprises in their first month, Corinne said they’ve been amazed by the number of repeat customers. Most folks walking in have been there before, drawn back by the affordability. Because the Homestead buys in bulk, they’re able to keep prices competitive with other grocers—a big win for everyone.
Months before opening, with downstairs renovations still underway, the Bearys generously offered the upstairs space for community yoga classes. Folks poured in, often remarking on how at home they felt. From day one, it was clear that Appalachian Homestead aimed to contribute to the collective good. Soon, they’ll roll out their upstairs community room as a place for people to share skills, host workshops, and come together to grow in health, self-sufficiency, and connection.
From Bulk Buys to Low-Waste Living
Interestingly, the purchase of the building came before the business idea fully solidified. Corinne shared that Tom’s always been a go-getter with great start-up ideas, even mapping out a full business plan years ago. But nothing felt right for their family until they began ordering groceries through Azure Standard. Corinne fell in love with the product quality and affordability—but not with the storage space required when buying in bulk. That’s where the idea began. She dreamed of a place where you could ditch the excess packaging and buy only what you need.
When asked about the Homestead’s positive impact on the community, Corinne pointed to its year-round farmers market aspect, allowing local makers to sell without the time restrictions and setup of weekend or pop-up markets. They also provide a much-needed low-waste option. Customers bring containers they already own—anything clean, dry, and with a lid—to fill only as much as they need. They’ve seen everything from Ziplocks and spice jars to old cheese ball tubs. Staff weighs the empty container, fills it with the chosen product, and weighs it again so customers only pay for what’s inside.
Flood, Resilience, and the Power of Neighbors
Their biggest hurdle came on June 14, when flooding hit Elm Grove. Like many affected, they had checked flood maps before purchasing and found the property wasn’t in a FEMA flood zone—yet it sits at the lowest point on Route 40. The first flood happened on Father’s Day. Tom, who usually sleeps in, woke early to a barrage of messages and checked security cameras. Corinne remembers the look on his face after seeing the footage.
At first, they tried cleaning the mud and water out themselves. But soon, they realized they needed help—and the community responded in full force. OV Mutual Aid was the first to arrive, followed by friends, customers, and even total strangers.
Just as they finished drying out and repainting, the area flooded again—this time on Tom’s birthday. They raced to the shop, only to be stopped by a fallen tree. Tom moved it himself, and they made it just in time to block most of the water. The second flood still damaged half the store, but oddly enough, it also helped clear mud they hadn’t been able to reach before.
Through it all, they’ve shown incredible resilience. Today, they’re repaired, reopened, and ready to welcome customers again. Appalachian Homestead is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM, with plans to expand hours if demand grows. Visit appalachianhomesteadresources.
The Bearys have many people to thank—like realtors Barb and Bill Jennings for a smooth purchase process; neighbors Kara and Mike Baum for their constant support (Kara’s Appalachian Roots Apothecary goods are sold in the shop, and Mike assisted with title work); and Chuck Ryan, commander of the VFW, for his kindness during the ownership transition.
Tom and Corinne say they’ve gained much more than a building—they’ve found a network of community. And when they’re not running the store, these happy homebodies love spending time with their four kids—Colin, Caden, Isaiah, and Taya—and their sweet dog, Olive.
