photo by: Joselyn King

Dr. Lisa Hrutkay shows off the bar inside the former Carlito’s building. Hrutkay and her husband, Tom Fledderus, have purchased the property at 753 Main St.

WHEELING — The former Carlito’s Soul Kitchen building in North Wheeling has new owners, and they are people the public might already know if they’ve had an emergency.

Retired Dr. Lisa Hrutkay, formerly an EMSTAR physician at Ohio Valley Medical Center, and her husband, retired Wheeling firefighter Tom Fledderus, have purchased the property at 753 Main St.

The building has sat vacant since Carlito’s closed in late October 2023. Prior to Carlito’s, Big Shot Bob’s located the spot, and before that the well-known Uncle Pete’s restaurant was a fixture on the corner for many years.

Hrutkay said she and Fledderus closed on the building two weeks ago under the name “Main Street Restoration.” It is their first venture into buying a retail property, though they have owned a historic 200-year-old farmhouse since 2001.

The property contains not just a restaurant, but also three apartments that continue to be rented. Hrutkay wants to lease out the vacant restaurant as she has no plans to operate it herself.

“Uncle Pete’s was very successful — and I think (the restaurant location) can be successful again,” she said. “It’s a beautiful place to have this. I’ve been cleaning it up to get it ready. I don’t cook well enough to open a restaurant myself.”

Her hope is to see someone succeed at the location.

“Waterfront Hall has set the bar. They have made that a destination,” she said. “I want to bring even more choices for eating downtown, and more choices for entertainment.”

Hrutkay said she has always been interested in the old architecture found in Wheeling.

While the former Carlito’s building already has been renovated, she wants to invest in properties that need love and saving.

“That’s what I want to do in retirement,” Hrutkay continued. “I want to preserve older buildings and help to revitalize downtown. I want to bring things into Wheeling, and help make Wheeling a destination.

“I’m glad I live here. I raised my family here, and I hope my sons stay here. I hope the beautiful architecture is part of the charm and attraction of Wheeling.”

She indicated the purchase of the Carlito’s building won’t be her last.

“It’s my first one, and I do have my eye on at least one more. I want to make sure we’re on solid footing on this one before we bite off another project,” she said.

“I want to help out with buildings that need a lot of work. I owe this to the community because I’ve had a good career. I’ve enjoyed my time here and I want to leave something behind.”

Hrutkay served as an EMSTAR physician for over 20 years. She was also northern regional dean at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine for five years before her retirement.