Business Expansion Comes to Village of Bethlehem - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather

A business with deep roots in the Ohio Valley plans to expand into the Wheeling area.

At a regular meeting, Bethlehem Village Council saw initial sketches for a new Grisell Funeral Homes location.  Representatives from the family-owned and operated firm talked to Council about their plans for the former John Sisson Motors property, where they plan to locate a new funeral home.  Both the firm and the mayor view the expansion as a solid business opportunity.

"We have been in business in the Ohio Valley for 165 years," said Connie Grisell of Grisell Funeral Homes.  "The opportunity presented itself to move up to the Wheeling area, particularly the Village of Bethlehem.  The village has been very generous in assisting us in this opportunity, in any way possible," she continued. 

Grisell said the firm had targeted July 1, 2013 to open the new location, but said design issues may cause that opening date to take place somewhat later.  She's hopeful the firm's sixth location will open by the close of summer 2013.

Village of Bethlehem Mayor Garrett Daniel said in an interview before the meeting, "We've had the Village Plaza about six or seven years ago -- and there's been a number of business come in there.  It's filled up, right now."

Daniel added, "The Hangers -- 700 million dollar company -- came to Bethlehem a year ago.  We're very happy with that."

As for further industrial or business development, Daniel says the village has one of the largest flat lot greenfield sites in the state of West Virginia available for that purpose.