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The Official Website of the State of West Virginia

Why is there a Big Boy statue in Charleston, West Virginia?

1/14/2023

West Virginia has all sorts of quirky attractions, such as a landlocked lighthouse, a giant teapot and 20-foot-tall coal miner statues. Each attraction has an interesting story as to why it was built.

So what is the story behind the Shoney’s Big Boy statue in Charleston, West Virginia?

It might be a surprise to some that the history of Shoney’s restaurants started in Charleston. That’s right, Alex Schoenbaum started the Shoney’s empire right here in the Mountain State.

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