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Great Food, Great Atmosphere

Jumbo butterfly shrimp are served at the Sandstone Restaurant in Logan.

The Sandstone Restaurant in Historic Downtown Logan features a great atmosphere for fine dining, but it’s the food that keeps the customers coming back, according to Executive Chef Tom Hunt.

“It’s darn good food. That’s what it’s all about,” Hunt says.

The restaurant, which seats 100 guests, offers delicacies such as herb-encrusted salmon, scallop and shrimp sambuca, and Portobello-stuffed ravioli. It also features Angus beef, bread baked fresh daily, and an extensive wine list.

The restaurant smokes all its own meats, wings and seafood, and offers barbecue ribs with Chef Hunt’s specially seasoned sauce.

Sandstone has a patio with a full outside kitchen and bar, and provides live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant offers catering for parties of 25 or more.

Toledo native Hunt trained at Hocking College in nearby Nelsonville and has 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

A Mall That Gives Back

River Valley Mall is a regional attraction, bringing in 3.5 million shoppers annually from as far as 20 miles away.

River Valley customers come to peruse the offerings of the mall’s many specialty stores and its five major retailers: J.C. Penney, Elder-Beerman, Sears, Macy’s, and Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear. Dining at Damon’s Grill and catching a movie at Regal Cinema often add to the shopping experience, says Tim Kaylor, general manager.

Kaylor says he appreciates the support of area shoppers. The mall repays that support not only by providing jobs but also participating in programs such as Tools for your School, which helps schools raise money for supplies and educational equipment.

The mall also supports the Magical Day of Giving, a Sunday designated each holiday season for retailers to offer discounts and special prizes for customers. Proceeds generated through the Magical Day of Giving benefit nonprofit organizations.

NFocus Brings Data Into Focus

Using data analysis and direct marketing support to help businesses grow has been the goal of NFocus Consulting since it started in 1989.

With more than 25 employees in Lancaster, NFocus processes more than 4 billion records each year for many leading direct marketers based locally and nationally.

The company’s success has developed through its use of proprietary systems for processing data and efficient use of direct-mail marketing, according to Benjy Uhl, vice president of sales and marketing.

NFocus serves clients by helping them clean up and streamline their databases, develop appropriate software to meet individual needs, analyze data and optimize postal-based marketing options.

In 2007, NFocus announced expansion of its Listcounts application and the formation of NFocusLists.com. Listcounts is an online list application that allows direct mailers to introduce databases online for count and order fulfillment. NFocusLists.com provides clients access to many of the top databases used for direct mail, including the Neighborhood Saturation File, Consumer Household File and National Business File.

A Friend to the Homebuyer

Mark Friend has been building custom houses and commercial property in the Lancaster area for more than 30 years. His business, Mark Friend Builders, specializes in custom homes and small commercial construction throughout the region.

Working with an established, experienced crew, Friend takes pride in his company’s accomplishments.

“We do quality home building,” Friend says. “In order to survive in this area, you have to do quality work.”

Most of Friend’s business focuses on the residential market. He produces all types of houses, from affordable bungalows for first-time buyers to 8,000-square-foot estates for successful professionals.

Smaller projects, such as decks, additions, home remodeling and window replacements, are also part of the company’s repertoire.

Indoor-Outdoor Fun

Lancaster Country Club was established in 1909 for “local citizens to enjoy outdoor events.”

Nearly 100 years later, the club maintains that focus with an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and a heated outdoor pool. Yet some indoor additions to the club, including an upscale restaurant, are extending the appeal to a wider audience, says manager Steve Ververis.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Josh Harris, the restaurant’s innovative menu features several fresh seafood items, such as char-grilled escolar fillet and caramelized diver scallops, not often available in the area.

While connoisseurs may choose to dine, golfers are drawn to the popular course designed by Donald Ross and Jack Kidwell. Along with daily play, the club offers ladies’ golf leagues, a senior golf league and a night golf group for men.

Activities for children include a highly ranked swim team, junior golf and tennis, and a four-day summer sports camp.

Story by Jon Coomer
Photo by Brian McCord

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