Black Bear Burritos Prepares for Anniversary Celebration
By Michelle Wolford, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
Apr. 6–As co-owners Matt Showalter and Jason Coffman prepare for Black Bear Burritos’ third anniversary, there’s more on their minds than cooking for 115 people.
Showalter and Coffman decided last year that the way to celebrate the restaurant’s success was to give something back.
So, when the restaurant turned 2, they put together a different kind of anniversary party — a fund-raiser.
This year, the party’s on again and the proceeds from the sale of the $15 tickets benefit the Corey Bicanich rehabilitation fund. The event is set for 4-7 p.m. Sunday.
Bicanich, 36, of Morgantown, was injured in a single-car crash on Brookhaven Road in January. According to family members, he suffered a stroke as a result of the accident and remains in a coma. He faces a vast amount of rehabilitation. With no private insurance, the family has set up a fund and organized fund-raisers to help pay for treatment.
So not only can you enjoy a dinner at Black Bear that’s a little out of the ordinary — the two owners step back from the regular menu for this special night — and entertainment by Tanglewood, a bluegrassy band that features Showalter on guitar, but you’ll be helping Bicanich as well.
“Matt and I think it’s important to give back to the community that’s been so good to us and supportive of our business,” Coffman said. “That’s why our anniversary party has become a fund-raiser for a good cause.”
Last year’s anniversary party benefited the Mon River Trail.
Coffman said local businesses have been supportive of the benefit, with donations coming from Blue Ridge Beverages and North Central Distributor for a beer-tasting. Wamsley Cycles donated for a drawing for a specialized trail bike, and Adventure’s Edge equipped a Red Hook snowboard that was donated by Mona Supply for a drawing. Tickets for those items are available now and the winner need not be present to win. Those tickets are $3, or two for $5.
Restaurants, including Mercury and Cafe Bacchus, where Bicanich had worked, have donated door prizes. Other businesses have donated gift certificates.
“Thanks, Morgantown, for three great years,” Coffman said. “We hope to celebrate many more. And we hope this event helps Corey with his rehabilitation.”
Info or tickets: 296-8696. Tickets are available at Black Bear, 132 Pleasant St.
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
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