As you drive into downtown Logan , Ohio you get the eerie sensation of a town center dying away to the influx of fast food and mega shopping centers. Empty store fronts and for sale or lease signs greet the passerby with only memories of what once was. All is not lost; however, it is up to us to keep the remaining shops from completing the ghost town transformation. One such establishment, M&M Family Diner, surrounded by empty buildings, continues to greet each patron with a smile and thank you.
On our winter hike to Hocking Hills, my wife and I ventured into Logan looking for a hometown meal. Lucky for us we found the aforementioned diner. With a bright smile and friendly greeting, we were seated and served by the proprietor/waitress. Yes, the owner still likes to wait on her guests. A few short minutes into our arrival, we were treated to stories of downtown past by some seasoned residents. They were unwavering in the face of chain restaurants and big box stores, preferring small town charm and hospitality.
Upon ordering our meals, we were told that M&M Family Diner makes their own sausage – which ended up being some of the best sausage we had ever eaten – and hand cuts their own potatoes. In a world of frozen and processed food, this was such a refreshing thing to hear. Kudos to the diner and their ability to just do it better than most chains.
On our way out we compared small town stories with the owner and thanked her for a wonderful breakfast. We admired pictures of Logan ‘s past scattering the diner walls and appreciated what she is trying to preserve. Her final statement struck us both in our small town hearts.
“Every single check counts and we will survive.”
If this kind of appreciation and perseverance still filled the American psyche, then I have no doubts that ” Main Street ” would be stronger than ever.
If you are ever in Logan , Ohio , please take the time to stop by M&M Family Diner on Main Street . You will not be disappointed and you will be helping to revitalize a past that our ancestors helped to create.
Submitted by Guest Blogger, Marty Amrine.
