The Busy Bee Restaurant in Historic Harmar Village has been a community fixture since 1944. Known for homestyle cooking and strong neighborhood roots, the diner is now entering a new chapter shaped by both continuity and change. 

Longtime employee Stephanie Cowart and her parents, Belinda and Craig Winsett, are now the official owners. Their family leadership preserves a piece of Marietta history that has defined the neighborhood for more than eight decades. 

The change in ownership follows the tenure of former owner Larry Sloter, who purchased the Busy Bee in 2014 and operated it alongside his adult sons. Under Sloter, the restaurant strengthened its identity as a scratch‑made, farm‑to‑table operation and found new ways to source ingredients locally. When he announced in early January through the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that he planned to sell the business, he emphasized one priority above all: finding “another family to come in and continue the legacy.” 

Community Response 

For many longtime customers and employees, the news sparked a mix of nostalgia and concern. Busy Bee has long been more than a breakfast spot. It is a community anchor, a place where regulars know the staff by name and newcomers are greeted with the same familiarity. Its warm, homey interiors make strangers feel like they have been coming for years. 

Employees say the transition has been smooth, and customers have expressed relief that the restaurant remains in the hands of people who understand its history and culture. 

A Personal Decision for the New Owners 

Cowart has been connected to the Busy Bee for years, and the decision to purchase the restaurant felt deeply personal. “This place has been part of my life for so long,” she says. “It’s part of a lot of people’s lives.” She and her mother now form the mother‑daughter leadership duo at the heart of the operation. Their goal is to preserve what makes the Busy Bee beloved while ensuring its future remains rooted in the same values that have sustained it since 1944. 

What Stays the Same 

The restaurant continues to serve its classic breakfast and lunch offerings. Hearty omelets, biscuits and gravy, hand‑patted burgers and daily specials remain unchanged, as does the scratch‑made philosophy and emphasis on local sourcing. The Busy Bee’s hours also remain consistent, opening daily from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Sunday service beginning at 8 a.m. For regulars who have been dining at 226 Gilman Avenue for decades, predictability is part of the charm. 

The Winsetts recognize that the restaurant’s longevity is tied to its reliability and its ability to offer the same comforting experience across generations. 

Looking Ahead 

As the Busy Bee approaches its 82nd year, its new owners are not rewriting its story. They are preserving it, one plate, one morning rush and one familiar greeting at a time. The Busy Bee remains open for breakfast and lunch service Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.