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new lounge dedicated to a late Kanawha County businessman opens in the capital city, and a local food pantry expresses a need for several nonperishable items. Here’s the 411 from communities around the region, including the metro areas of Charleston and South Charleston.
Lounge Opens: A new Kanawha Valley lounge was introduced to the public earlier this week. The Goodfellas Lounge, located inside the historic Fazio’s restaurant in Charleston, was officially unveiled Monday evening. “[T]the Goodfellas Lounge… stands as another powerful sign of the incredible momentum within our Capital City’s small business and restaurant community,” representatives with the nonprofit Charleston Urban Works wrote in a post about the lounge’s unveiling. The space was dedicated in memory of the late Doug Skaff, Jr., a Kanawha Valley businessman and former newspaper executive, who passed away in June 2025. Several of Skaff’s family, friends and business partners were on hand during Monday’s dedication.
Donations Needed: The Heart and Hand food pantry in South Charleston is in need of several nonperishable items. Leaders with the nonprofit made a request for contributions in a recent social media post. “Every donation helps us care for our neighbors and serve families with dignity,” they wrote. Items currently being sought include pull-ups and wipes, breakfast cereal, soup, sliced cheese, oatmeal, pasta and rice. Donations can be dropped off at the pantry’s location at 212 D St. in South Charleston. More information on the nonprofit Heart and Hand is available at hhomwv.org.
Blanket Drive: Members of Capital High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) are hosting a Blanket Drive to help keep local neighbors warm this winter. In a social media post, NHS representatives announced that they will be collecting new or gently used blankets through the end of January. Students will also be accepting donations to create tie blankets to distribute to those in need. Donations will be accepted at the school’s front office located at 1500 Greenbrier St. in Charleston. Monetary donations can also be made to cashtag $CHSNHS1989 on CashApp.
