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Blue Roof expands into West Virginia
BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER
 | | The Botkin sisters' Blue Roof Caterers is expanding their Highland and Bath operations to include the food concessions at Cass Railroad in Pocahontas County, W.Va. Pictured are (l-r) business partners Jenny and Bonnie Botkin. Not pictured is partner Diana Botkin. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) |
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MONTEREY - The Blue Roof girls, as they have come to be known due to the blue roof on their Monterey home that stands out among the greens and reds of their neighbors, have taken a big step into a regional presence with their recent acquisition of the concession and restaurant contract at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Pocahontas County, W.Va.
Jenny Botkin says the family business is expanding, not shutting down its Bath and Highland operations. Not to worry, Blue Roof Caterers will continue to provide catering services in Virginia, have a booth at the Highland farmers' market, as well as keep the seniors fed in Bath and Highland counties.
Blue Roof Caterers started in February 2001. Sisters Jenny, Bonnie and Diana Botkin opened the business so they could live and work in Highland. The sisters grew up here, daughters of the late Berlie Botkin, and Leona and Roger Botkin of Monterey.
Blue Roof uses the incubator kitchen at The Highland Center. The Botkins are thankful that the service exists in the community. They have also been regular clients of the SCORE program since 2001, a free business counseling service sponsored by the center.
Blue Roof was recognized several years ago as the SCORE business of the year. "The biggest help (SCORE) has been is in business planning and insurance," says Bonnie. "They put the reality into owning a business."
"This is a major growth spurt for them and takes them to a new level," says center executive director Betty Mitchell. "They are well-prepared and should be successful. I really think the fact that they are heading into another county (proves the point) that ours is a four-county region (for economic development) … Growing an existing business makes a lot of sense from an economic development point."
The Botkins have a proven track record, something that gave them an advantage when applying for the contract with Cass.
Last year, Blue Roof Caterers was awarded a contract with the Virginia Program for Aging Services to provide meals for Bath senior citizens. Blue Roof has had the "Meals on Wheels" contract for Highland seniors for four years.
The Cass Scenic Railroad contract, which the Botkins applied for only a month ago and received two weeks ago, includes a restaurant, a soda fountain, a snack bar and dinner train. The services are provided seasonally from May through October. They have a one-year contract with an option to renew.
Everything seemed to happen at once, but the process was and continues to be somewhat complicated. "We had to have 20 references (to apply)," says Bonnie.
That was just the start. There are a whole new set of rules and regulations to follow as the business expands into West Virginia. Taxes, workers' compensation, and health department regulations have slight variations from Virginia's rules governing catering and restaurant services that require a close watch to ensure compliance. Blue Roof sought the assistance of an attorney to make sure their limited liability corporation met the legal requirements of both states.
The Botkins are grateful for the Quick Books course, the software that many small businesses use for financial management, to be held at The Highland Center April 21. They feel it couldn't have come at a better time.
This one contract will triple their gross income. Roughly 57,000 people rode the Cass trains last year, says state park assistant superintendent Andy Bennett.
"We are looking forward to having them," says Bennett. "They are the first new concessionaire in 20 years. It's beneficialto us - they will bring a lot with their catering background. These ladies are very down home, they are really going to make it (Cass Railroad) more welcoming to people."
The busiest times of year at Cass are July and October, says Bennett. The dinner train service alone averages around 100 passengers each trip.
To meet the challenge, Blue Roof needs to hire more people - it needs 12-15 more employees, a mix of full- and part-time. They are looking for wait staff, cooks, caterers, and are hoping to hire locally from Highland and Pocahontas counties. Applicants for employment should call Blue Roof at (540) 468-3042 or email blueroofcaterers@ yahoo.com.
In addition to spectacular mountain views and authentic old-time train ride, Cass Scenic Railroad has the local West Virginia blue grass band, Allegheny Outback, perform on occasion.
"We would like to invite people to come out to Cass - nice for a day trip, close to home," say the Botkins. "And bring family and friends."
For more information about and reservations for the Cass Scenic Railroad visit www.cassrailroad.com or call (304) 456-4300.
First train of the season leaves May 23. All aboard!
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