Last September, Marie Pinnell and her fiancé, Steve Boswell, bought the old Cozy Cove marina in Chesapeake. In January, they started a massive renovation. The project inched along. They intended to open May 1. No way. So they planned a grand opening celebration on the Fourth of July. That didn't happen either. Now, finally, they've set a come-hell-or-high-water opening date. The revamped Chesapeake Boat Club and Kanawha River Deli and Café opens absolutely on Tuesday.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- She calls it a labor of love. At times, she wasn't so sure about the love part.
Last September, Marie Pinnell and her fiancé, Steve Boswell, bought the old Cozy Cove marina in Chesapeake. In January, they started a massive renovation.
The project inched along. They intended to open May 1. No way. So they planned a grand opening celebration on the Fourth of July. That didn't happen either.
She wondered sometimes what they'd done. "It turned out to be a lot more major than we anticipated," she said.
Now, finally, they've set a come-hell-or-high-water opening date. The revamped Chesapeake Boat Club and Kanawha River Deli and Café opens absolutely on Tuesday. No. Matter. What.
And the second thoughts? Just kidding, she said. "It's been a labor of love and we're tickled with it."
Pinnell and Boswell, a retired boilermaker, were shopping for a business investment when they heard about the marina. A marina and restaurant made sense. "I've been involved in every aspect of restaurant work," she said. "We both love the water. I grew up on a lake. Steve's had a boat most of his life. Three years ago, we bought a boat together."
The marina sits behind the police and fire stations between 124th and 125th streets in Chesapeake.
The only vestige of the former occupant is the Cozy Cove sign in the trash pile. "It had a bad reputation, so I've got a reputation to live down," she said. "I wish people would just come look at what we've done."
What they've done is virtually start over, from ripped out wiring and plumbing to new floor and wall joists. And they did it themselves, "everything except the carpentry," she said. "We even cut our own poplar wood."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- She calls it a labor of love. At times, she wasn't so sure about the love part.
Last September, Marie Pinnell and her fiancé, Steve Boswell, bought the old Cozy Cove marina in Chesapeake. In January, they started a massive renovation.
The project inched along. They intended to open May 1. No way. So they planned a grand opening celebration on the Fourth of July. That didn't happen either.
She wondered sometimes what they'd done. "It turned out to be a lot more major than we anticipated," she said.
Now, finally, they've set a come-hell-or-high-water opening date. The revamped Chesapeake Boat Club and Kanawha River Deli and Café opens absolutely on Tuesday. No. Matter. What.
And the second thoughts? Just kidding, she said. "It's been a labor of love and we're tickled with it."
Pinnell and Boswell, a retired boilermaker, were shopping for a business investment when they heard about the marina. A marina and restaurant made sense. "I've been involved in every aspect of restaurant work," she said. "We both love the water. I grew up on a lake. Steve's had a boat most of his life. Three years ago, we bought a boat together."
The marina sits behind the police and fire stations between 124th and 125th streets in Chesapeake.
The only vestige of the former occupant is the Cozy Cove sign in the trash pile. "It had a bad reputation, so I've got a reputation to live down," she said. "I wish people would just come look at what we've done."
What they've done is virtually start over, from ripped out wiring and plumbing to new floor and wall joists. And they did it themselves, "everything except the carpentry," she said. "We even cut our own poplar wood."
Boswell figures their sweat equity cut their investment in half. "Just my labor alone would have cost us $100,000," he said.
The all-wood décor in the restaurant features huge picture windows on all sides to showcase the river. On the spacious open deck upstairs, the river vista, edged by steep, hovering hills, extends as far as the eye can see on either side.
Pinnell hopes her new place will lure downriver boaters and enjoy the same popularity as the Barge, Huck Finn's and Tomahawks on the main boating social drag below the locks.
"Now that the new locks are open at Marmet, it's easier for pleasure crafts to get through," she said. "And according to the Corps of Engineers, this is the cleanest stretch of the Kanawha River."
The new facility offers dock space for 30 boats. A dockmaster lives on-site in a houseboat and oversees the operation 24/7. Ice is available and gasoline is on the way. Plans include a connected tackle shop and convenience store and extending the decks.
The casual menu includes burgers with nautical nametags, grilled chicken and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, barbecues, club sandwiches, subs and pizza. Specialties include River Fries, a "riverfied" version of a popular beach item served with vinegar and Old Bay seasoning.
The restaurant offers beer and wine to enjoy there or as takeout items.
Pinnell and Boswell partnered in the venture with Frank and Connie Dawson, who dock their boat there.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday year-round.
Reach Sandy Wells at 348-5173 or san...@wvgazette.com.
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