The Bodega is a cool new coffee shop in Vienna.

There are all kinds of bohemian-esque spots to lounge in here.

And the coffee is quite tasty - I went for a caramel vanilla frappe.

As I drank it, I researched the background of this shop - which is pretty cool.  And will make me return.

After living for almost 8 years in Honduras and being a part of “community” unlike I had ever known before - I’m addicted to rallying the world changers and spending my minutes on the planet attempting to continue to build a tribe. One that would sacrifice for someone else. A group that would elevate others and encourages them to rise above. People who would be purposeful and intentional about how they choose to take up space on the planet. Folks who would move into hard places and bring light.
So, a dream was born. Long ago really - but sometimes it takes a while for the dream to get brave.  

In Honduras we had a “space” that we affectionately referred to as “The Bodega” and it was the place where we “huddled” so to speak. Resources were brought in and distributed. The week’s marching orders for service were laid out. It was a “hub” for what would happen during each teams week of serving in the country. Goodness moved from that space in a bunch of ways.  

After moving home and taking some time to heal I continued to long for a similar space, a tribe, and a huddle.  

I would take a journal and find a coffee shop in some city often and sit and ponder and dream - wondering how I might create something similar here.  

We needed a “hub.” I needed a space. I needed to quit being scared of every what if and just go for it. Trusting that there were other hearts who longed for a space where we might create and build community around a cup of coffee and it might have an impact on something bigger than us.  

And so it begins ... where the story will lead who knows - but here’s to Chapter 1 of “The Bodega” being born here in the MOV. May it build a tribe. May we find ways to huddle and serve and may it impact something far beyond us.

So, I've started a new adventure: Try all the Sam's Hot Dog Stands in the area.

Frank Lucente grew up in a small town in West Virginia. As a young boy, Frank often enjoyed spicy chili dogs at the town hot dog stand. Even as he grew older and moved away, Frank would always stop in for a hot dog on his visits home. Years later, the town stand closed and Frank was forced to look elsewhere to satisfy his craving. He went to see the owner of the old stand to convince him to pass on the recipe. But the owner refused saying he would "take it to the grave".

Denied, Frank soon discovered that the original recipe for the chili sauce belonged to an elderly woman still living in his hometown. For years she had been cooking up the sauce and selling it at her church bazaar. According to her, the stand owner had changed the recipe over the years but the woman gladly provided the original recipe.

Frank recruited his business partner and good friend Rocco Muriale to help invent an even better chili sauce recipe. The chef at the popular Rocco's Ristorante, Rocco spent several months cooking up batches of chili sauce. After six months, he had the perfect recipe! In 1983 wanting to share the delicious invention with the public, Frank and Rocco opened the first Sam's Hotdog Stand in Huntington, West Virginia....ending the search for the perfect hot dog.

With this history in mind, I thought it would be neat to see all the small differences amongst the different Sam's locations in the area.

So on my lunch break, I headed up Greenbrier Street to check out the closest Sam's to me. This location has a gaming room located in the back, but there's also a large dining area for folks to dine in.

This is an "everything" with mild slaw. Yum!

I've heard about Tom's in Oak Hill and Beckley for quite some time, so I was excited to finally mark this place off my list.

Tom's has a drive-thru, which is perfect. The menu features a variety of hot dogs, burgers and ice cream.

I went with one of their "Tom's Dogs," which has mustard, onions, slaw and a choice of chili: original, shugar or spicy chili. You can also get it on a toasted bun or footlong.

I went for a toasted bun (I know it's not traditional), but I enjoy it. And, with shugar chili on it. And for dessert, I went with a "Coal Seam," which has chocolate syrup and salted peanuts.

Sam's Hot Dog Stand is a local chain of hot dog spots.

I got my first bite at the local shop on Hale Street (RIP), but there are a number of Sam's locally. According to their website, it looks like there are about 17 locations in West Virginia, give or take.

This shop in Malden had some booth seating, as well as options for burgers, BBQ and even beer.

As per usual, I took mine with chili, slaw, mustard and onions - or "everything."

Always satisfying. How do you like yours?

Sometimes there are little gems hidden in your own backyard that you never even knew.

That's the case with Scot's Landscape.

This landscaping business is also home to an ice cream shop.

The ice cream portion is called Sugar Grove, and it's kind of magical.

It looks like a whimsical ice cream shop with all kinds of ice cream flavors.

I went with the "sea salt caramel toffee" flavor, because every word in that sounds phenomenal.

And, I got it as a sundae with caramel, nuts and a cherry on top.

After I got my scoop, I ventured down the hallway to check out the shop portion.

To my surprise, it's much more than plants.

There are little trinkets and gifts.

Plus - tons of food items, too.


Cheeses, sauces, pies, scones, and more.

Have you ever been?