Busy Bee co-owner Stephanie Cowart poses with two plates of breakfast orders on a busy morning in February. (Photo provided by Stephanie Cowart)

The Busy Bee at 226 Gilman Ave. has been providing delicious food for people both locally and across the nation since its opening in 1947.

Busy Bee is a casual eating spot open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. The menu consists of homemade breakfast items like pancakes, omelets and breakfast sandwiches, with lunch featuring burgers and fresh club sandwiches.

The restaurant has seen many changes over the years, most recently with new ownership in February.

Former Busy Bee waitress Stephanie Cowart purchased the building, company name and parking lot alongside her mom and co-owner Belinda Winsett, along with father Craig.

The mother-daughter duo has been working diligently over the early spring months to revamp the restaurant and its menu options while continuing the work of the previous owner, Larry Sloter.

The exterior of the Busy Bee Restaurant after renovations in March. (Photo provided by Stephanie Cowart)

“He approached me and asked what I thought about buying the place … I brought it up to my parents and we did it,” said Cowart. “I’ve been a waitress for over 20 years.”

Cowart said since taking over the building, they’ve painted the interior, added new flooring and revamped the menu to include local ingredients and gluten-free options.

“We also make gluten-free desserts every weekend,” she said. “We’re not changing anything, just adding particular options to hopefully bring in new clientele.”

Cowart said they’ll be curating themed menus for each season. The spring menu will include yogurt bowls and spring-themed mocktails.

Winsett said they’ve been wanting to get as much of their produce locally sourced as possible, but it can be challenging with supply and demand.

The interior of the Busy Bee Restaurant bartop seating area in March. (Photo provided by Stephanie Cowart)

“We’ve been a lot busier, sales have been up quite a bit compared to the year before,” said Cowart. “I’ve been doing a lot more on social media so that has caused a difference.”

She said she posts almost daily on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, which has expanded the audiences reached.

According to Cowart, their social media followings have increased by nearly 4,000 followers since taking over ownership in February.

She said she posts anything from daily specials to newly added desserts or entrees.

Winsett said they see many regulars, especially during the colder months, but there have been a lot of people traveling from out-of-state to eat at Busy Bee.

The interior of the Busy Bee Restaurant with booth and tabletop seating after renovations in March. (Photo provided by Stephanie Cowart)

Originally from Lakeland, Fla., their family relocated to Marietta. At the time, they were renting a house from Sloter, which is how they first met.

“We were renting his house and Stephanie worked here, and then 12 years later we bought his restaurant,” said Winsett.

Winsett had previous restaurant and waitressing experience when she was a girl growing up in Florida.

“Everyone has been really happy with everything,” said Winsett.

Cowart said the Busy Bee regulars weren’t surprised when they found out she would be the new owner and expressed excitement she was taking over.

Mother and daughter and Busy Bee co-owners Belinda Winsett and Stephanie Cowart pose for a photo together at the Busy Bee Restaurant in February. (Photo provided by Stephanie Cowart)

The mother-daughter duo has settled into the busyness and responsibility of owning a popular restaurant in Marietta. Winsett said she loves chatting with the customers and ensuring everyone’s satisfied with their orders.

The duo said they’re continuing to work on upgrades such as a seasonally changing menu and upgraded outdoor patio space.

Cowart said later down the road when things aren’t as hectic, she wants to create an event space so people can host parties or gatherings at Busy Bee.

In addition to the menu items, there are assortments of local honey and syrups for sale from Wayward Hill Farms in Belpre and Cedar Run Farm in Sistersville.

“A lot of people have been coming here just to buy honey,” said Cowart. “I’ve been wanting to do jams and jellies but the company we were getting them from closed down so it would be cool to get more products like that soon.”

There are mugs and T-shirts available for purchase at Busy Bee.

“We’ve noticed a lot of people have never been here before,” said Cowart. “I meet people everyday who are from Marietta who’ve never heard of Busy Bee.”