The auction typically has over 350 donated items, and features both a live and a silent auction. Items up for sale include, cabin rentals, collectibles, art, sports, home décor and yard objects. Professional auctioneer, Ray Dennis, will once again be in charge of Friday evening’s event. Proceeds from the event are used to enhance patient care at Hocking Valley Community Hospital. If you have questions, call any committee member or Kathy Krumlauf, Foundation Executive Director, at 740-380-8154.

Sitting at the counter, customers (from left) Steve Sheets, Charlotte Blair and Chris Barrell visit the Patio Shoppe for a hot meal. Serving patrons are (from left) Cheryl Gallagan, Deb Wagoner and Tammy Mead. Located in the Hocking Valley Community Hospital, the shop is open to anyone who’s hungry — you don’t have to be visiting or working at the hospital to eat here. The shop is even open in the
middle of the night!

Restaurant/ gift shop offers 1960s menu, modern merchandise

LOGAN – Area residents reminisce about the good ol’ days when they could go to a local diner, sit at the counter and get a bite to eat. Here’s a secret: Logan still has a place like that – but many people are unaware of its existence.

The Patio Shoppe is Logan’s hidden gem, a tiny, retro diner and gift shop that has maintained its 1960s atmosphere. Tucked inside Hocking Valley Community Hospital front lobby, it’s a place where you can grab a cheeseburger and a little friendly conversation.

“The Patio Shoppe has been here since Hocking Valley Community Hospital opened its doors in 1966,” said Kathy Krumlauf, director of Community Relations. In the early days, it was operated by volunteers; and as a member of a TWIG in the early-1970s, Krumlauf was one of them. “Ruth Bontrager, wife of local physician Roy Bontrager, would babysit my daughter so I could work a shift,” she recalled. “We sold desserts baked by TWIG members, and Ruth would make her lemon pie. The customers really looked forward to that pie.”

The shop is open to the public; and those who have discovered it, make it a destination. While the Patio Shoppe is a convenient way to get a hot meal during the day or the middle of the night if you find yourself at the hospital, the food and atmosphere alone are reason enough for many area residents to drop by.

“The Patio Shoppe also is popular with the hospital employees. It’s a place where they can relax on a break — the sweet tea is highly sought after,” Krumlauf said with a laugh.

These days, desserts must be created in a kitchen approved by the health department, so all the homemade goodies come from one person – local resident Carolyn Nihiser. “She provides mini pies, no-bake cookies, sugar cookies and whatever else she dreams up,” said Krumlauf.

Today’s shop is operated by three part-time employees and one volunteer, Mimi Hammer. “Mimi has been coming in every Friday morning for as long as I can remember,” Krumlauf added.

Anyone stopping in at The Patio Shoppe can get a cheeseburger, BBQ sandwich, hot dog, or the signature fried bologna sandwich, just like the diner served nearly 50 years ago. Also on the menu: the chicken salad sandwich, potato chips, soups — and in step with current tastes – bottled Starbucks Frappuccino.

And where else can you get this selection at 2 a.m.? Yep, in addition to daytime hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Patio Shoppe opens its doors again for third-shift workers, late-night waiting room sitters, night owls and insomniacs with the hours of 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.

During third-shift hours, salads are added to the menu because the cafeteria is closed. “This way, those who wish to eat healthy at night still have that option,” explained Krumlauf. “Having the Patio Shoppe open during late hours provides an alternative for third-shift employees, physicians and visitors.”

This little diner isn’t called the “Patio Shoppe” for nothing; it’s also a place to shop for a variety of gifts, whether visiting someone in the hospital or shopping for a special occasion. “The gifts are awesome,” Krumlauf said enthusiastically. “There’s a wide selection, and it has become a great holiday and birthday shopping place.” Visitors also can purchase Patio Shoppe gift certificates.

The Patio Shoppe can be found near the front entrance of Hocking Valley Community Hospital, located at 601 SR 664 North.