William and Mary Queen Store

Crum, Wayne County

March 2019 Update: The Coalfield Development Corporation successfully applied for and was awarded $20,000.00 in pre-development assistance through the WV Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the property.

2017 Update: A contract has been signed for a new roof on the building.  In April 2017, Coalfield Development Corporation (CDC), with the assistance of Preserve WV AmeriCorps members, successfully cleaned around the building.   Multiple types of trash debris were disposed and overgrown foliage was cut back to allow for easy access to all sides of the building for roof installers.  In July 2017, CDC crews worked multiple weeks for several days cleaning out the extensive collapsed roof debris.  A date for the roof installation is still pending.

CDC has plans to repurpose the property as mixed-income apartments, with additional plans for adding a library, fitness center, and Wayne County tourism kiosk.  However, the project funder has backed out. The organization continues to actively seek a new funding source.

2012: The William and Mary Queen Store (Wayne County) is known as the most beautiful structure in Crum and has historically been the town’s central building along King Coal Highway 52.  Constructed of local sandstone in 1935 by Italian stonemasons under the direction of Alec Deminio, this building historically served as the town’s general store but has been vacant for decades.  Because of such disuse and neglect, the flat roof has collapsed, and the entire building is in very poor condition.  However, the Coalfield Development Corporation has plans to acquire, revitalize, and adapt it for use as the headquarters for its 21st Century Jobs Initiative, which will provide innovative on-the-job training and mentorship programs for young people growing up in generational cycles of poverty.  The second story will provide affordable housing. ​

Download 2012 Report