WALNUT CREEK, Ohio – In 1969, three men and their families set out to share a heritage of hearty, homemade meals with visitors to Ohio’s Amish Country. Together, they purchased a small, 75-seat family restaurant inside a former hardware store, dubbing the eatery Der Dutchman.
From those humble beginnings grew Dutchman Hospitality Group (DHG), a family-owned chain of restaurants, bakeries, inns, and gift stores in Ohio, Florida, and Indiana.
Now, after more than 50 years of providing guests with experiences that celebrate the warm hospitality, traditional foods, simple comforts, and rural charm of Midwestern Amish and Mennonite communities, DHG is planting new roots where it got its start.
Area business, government, and economic development officials joined company leaders on June 22 to break ground for a new corporate office at 4922 Walnut Street. DHG President Mike Miller shared how the project will benefit the approximately 1,500 who collectively serve about 2.7 million guests annually.
“We’re building this building so that we can have the tools and modern resources to effectively serve you and foster growth and steward your careers with Dutchman Hospitality Group,” Miller said. “We’re also building it so that we have the tools and the resources to best serve our customers. It’s our goal to be salt and light in our world and to use hospitality as a vehicle to share the gospel and to impact other people.”
The three-story, 10,000-square-foot building was designed to resemble an Amish farmhouse and will be surrounded by green space with walking trails and seating for all to enjoy. Construction is anticipated to last around 10 months with completion in the spring of 2027. Contributors include Ivan Weaver Construction, DK Architects (building design), MKSK (landscape architecture), and Sketch Blue (interior design).
