The old-fashioned inside ambience of Griffith & Feil Drug and soda fountain in Kenova, W.Va. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

We’re meandering across the Ohio River again this week to the historic town of Kenova, West Virginia.

Griffith & Feil Drug is an institution in Kenova, which, as its name infers, straddles the states of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia along the Ohio River.

There is something unique about Ohio River towns. They have a mixture of the old and the new; the vibrancy of the river’s constant motion and industry, and the old traditions and history inherent in areas that were fought over and settled centuries ago. East Liverpool, Steubenville, Wheeling, Marietta, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, Ironton, Portsmouth, Maysville and other Ohio River towns each have unique personalities, and are all interconnected by the river.

Kenova, just across the Ohio River from South Point, Ohio, and midway between Ashland, Ky., and Huntington, W.Va., was founded in 1854 and became incorporated in 1894.

Griffith & Feil was established in September 1892 as a pharmacy. The name became Griffith & Feil with a change in ownership in 1954. Simp Griffith worked at the store from 1921 to 1989, a total of 68 years. Dick Griffith and Glen Feil joined the staff in 1936. Feil retired after 39 years in 1977, while Dick Griffith worked until the age of 92 in 2007 — an astonishing 71 years.

Current owner and pharmacist Ric Griffith joined the family business in 1976; he and his daughter Heidi continue the family’s tradition of providing pharmacy services and caring for the area’s health for more than 125 years.

Griffith is also owner of the 1891 Victorian Joseph S. Miller House, 748 Beech St., listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In recent years it has become known as The Pumpkin House, because of the more than 3,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns which adorn it each Halloween season.

In addition to being a full-service pharmacy, Griffith & Feil offers an old-fashioned soda fountain that offers traditional favorites like shakes, malts, phosphates, cream soda, ice cream floats and even egg cream. Ice cream delights include banana splits, a variety of sundaes and much more. More than 35 flavors of hand-mixed fountain drink flavors are offered and just as many shake and malt flavors are offered as well.

The exterior of Griffith & Feil Drug. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

There is plenty of seating available for sit-down breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well. Griffith & Feil offers a full breakfast menu as well as an array of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers.

The store retains much of its original ambience with its tin ceiling, historic photographs and memorabilia that line the walls, and touches like a jukebox and a vintage Coca-Cola soda dispenser. Customers can find souvenir items, cards and gifts at Griffith & Feil as well.

Griffith & Feil Drug is located at 1405 Chestnut St., Kenova, W.Va. (304) 453-5227. When we visited several years ago, a mid-20th century motel was located across the street, along with an actual telephone booth.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

Subscribe to Dusty Tires and receive a weekly email with the latest blog article. It’s free and ad-free!

All rights reserved, copyright Dusty Tires (dusty-tires.com), 2024.