Nick and Nicki Gohlmann, along with their children, Carter and Cael, live in Wedgewood Glen. “We originally built the house next door to us, and in 2013, we moved into our current home,” Nicki explained. 

Nick grew up in Maquoketa, IA. He lived on a farm until he was in the second grade, “then my family moved into town.” Nick graduated from Maquoketa High School in 1998 and attended Mount Mercy College, where he played golf. Nick noted, “I still try to fit in a round of golf every now and then.” 

After moving to West Virginia in 2003, Nick began working at Chili’s in Charleston. He became manager there before moving to the location in Barboursville, where he became general manager.

Nicki was born and raised in Cross Lanes and graduated from Nitro High School in 1999 and the University of Charleston in 2003. “While I was a senior in high school, I began working at Joe Holland Chevrolet. After graduating from UC, I stayed on at Joe Holland where I worked as a finance manager until 2012.”

Nicki shared, “Nick and I met on spring break in Myrtle Beach in 2003. At the time, he was living in Williamsburg, VA, and we dated long distance until he moved here in 2003.” In 2004, the couple got married in Myrtle Beach where they had met.

Nick and Nicki moved to Teays Valley in 2006. “While building our house, we sold the home we were living in and lived with my sister, Wendy, and brother-in-law, Jim, for three months,” Nicki told Teays Valley Living. “This ultimately led the four of us to open our own business. Wendy and Jim were interested in the festival concession business, and Nick and I took the leap of faith during the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival in 2007, and the four of us started the business together. Nick began doing festivals full time in 2008, and the four of us eventually opened our restaurant, Ridgeview BBQ, in August 2011. I began working at the restaurant in 2012, which is why I left my position at Joe Holland.” The restaurant is located in Institute across from West Virginia State University. The restaurant is open Monday- Friday and closed on the weekends, “So we are still able to continue traveling to festivals and catering events.” 

The Gohlmanns have two sons. Carter, 10, is in the fourth grade at West Teays Elementary. He plays baseball and basketball and is in the archery program at WTE and participates in swimming when time allows. Cael, 8, is a second-grader at West Teays and also plays baseball and basketball. He recently began playing travel baseball, as well. Both boys love being outside in the neighborhood with their friends. Nicki credits her parents for their help with her and Nick's busy schedule. "Nana goes above and beyond to help us with our boys and her nephews!" 

When asked about the family’s favorite vacation destination, Nicki stated, “We love spending time together where water is involved. The beach, any beach, is our favorite destination. We also love going to Lake Anna, Virginia, where my brother-in-law has a boat, and we spend plenty of Sundays at home with friends and neighbors at our pool.” Nick adds, “Our friends have introduced us to disc golf, which we enjoy as a family.”

Since Nick grew up in Iowa, he is passionate about University of Iowa sports, while Nicki, who grew up attending West Virginia University football games, is a Mountaineer fan. 

Nicki shared a Gohlmann family tradition, “At every family dinner, each of us has to tell the best and worst thing that happened that day. This is one way we can stay connected with what is going on with each other when we are not together.”

Nicki also shared a Fourth of July tradition. “We have a big celebration each year, which started with our neighbors and has grown, perhaps, a bit out of control. Last year, I remember one of the kids saying our fireworks show was better than Disney,” she laughed.

Nicki shared the following about living in Teays Valley, “I most enjoy the unbelievable friendships we have made with our neighbors and people we have met through our boys and their activities. Although we don't have a lot of extra time, being so busy with the restaurant, we try to give back as much as we can in the form of food since that is what we know best.” 

The Gohlmanns are another wonderful family calling Hurricane home. If you haven’t had the chance to make their acquaintance here yet, take a trip over to Institute for lunch or dinner and tell them Teays Valley Living sent you.