Meet Elizabeth Gramby | Owner, Table 304

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Gramby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wish I could say that starting my business was a long term goal with a thought out plan but It started very small and kind of unexpectedly! I feel like the best things start that way. My daughters and I had always kind of joked/daydreamed about having “my own place” so I guess the thought was always there. Like a dream you think will never really come true. I had worked part time for a long time, mostly focusing on family. I left that part time job and after a while started thinking about what was next for me. Mind you, I was 48 at the time. My daughters encouraged me to start making “my boards” and selling them but I kept replying that no-one would buy from me because they could just make their own! I finally gave in and in 2019 posted on my personal FB page that I was offering my services if anyone would like me to make a board for their holiday celebrations. I thought it would be a side gig that paid for Christmas but it took off and by September of 2020 I had to get a commercial space. My daughter, who is a barista, started helping me that December in the kitchen which was part of a larger space that used to be a coffee shop and we would once again daydream…what if we took a chance and took over the whole space. A Charcuterie business with a coffee shop. I attended the CoStarters program through Wheeling Heritage and Regional Economic Development. We brainstormed the possible expansion and we opened the coffee shop in September of 2021! We just dreamed, planned and walked through each door as it opened.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Table 304 is my first business! We are a charcuterie board business and a coffee shop. I don’t think most people would put those two things together but we have found a way. In our shop we have a beautiful coffee menu put together by my daughter, Devon. She manages the coffee shop side of things. She takes coffee very seriously and creates some really tasty and quality drinks. We source our coffee from 19 coffee and Mechanic Coffee, both out of Pittsburgh, PA. They are both very good at what they do and wonderful people as well. On the Charcuterie or as we call them “Grazing Board” side of things we create cups, boards and boxes that we sell in shop as well as catering at other venues. We rent our space for parties and showers. We have even had intimate weddings in our upstairs loft! When we started in the Flatiron Building in Wheeling we didn’t think about it possibly being a venue, that has been such a wonderful addition to our services. I have to say though that what I want people to know most is that we are proof that wherever you are in your life, whatever age and in whatever struggle you face, you can start something new and meaningful. It’s never too late, life timelines are not real and normal is just a setting on a dryer.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
You may have never heard about Wheeling, WV and may have some labels in mind when you even think about WV but Wheeling is a city on the move! We have so much revitalization happening downtown right now, which is where we are located. I really do hope that people driving through stop by and visit. So we would start with breakfast or brunch at Sarahs on Main because you gotta have the sweet potato hash and a morning bun. Do some shopping at the amazing small businesses located in our historic Center Market and then maybe grab a graze box and a latte at Table 304 for a quick picnic at our waterfront. Dinner and cocktails at Elle and Jacks is a must and Id make sure we had a meal at The Vagabond Kitchen. Chef Matt Welsch proudly features Appalachian cuisine and has won on Guys Grocery Games! We would be sure to catch the Wheeling Symphony performing at The Capitol Theatre and grab a late snack or drink at The Bridge Tavern. Everyone needs a lazy day at home so we would pick up dinner from Midges Kitchen and chill. A day at Oglebay Park is always a beautiful way to spend the day and we cant forget to grab Dicarlos Pizza and a Coleman’s Fish sandwich.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I love giving shout outs! So many people have helped us along the way and are still helping us today. As I was planning I reached out to other small business owners in our community and was blown away by their kindness and support. I sent an email to Chef Sarah Lydick of Sarahs on Main and asked if she would have time to share some advice and she was so wonderful. She didn’t even know me. Lara Graves, who owns two wonderful establishments in Wheeling has always been available for advice and even showed up once to help me with my grease trap! If you know about grease traps then you know that not just everyone will show up. Amanda McWhorter, who I met through CoStarters is an amazing business coach. I have to especially dedicate my shout out to Wheeling Heritage and our Regional Economic Development Partnership. The programs they offer and the people there who make them happen have been invaluable. I truly believe that without them we may not have made it this far.

Website: table304.com

Instagram: @table304

Other: libbi.table304@gmail.com