Former New Washington resident purchases local business

​Partnership Pulse: A Partnership Pulse is a story about economic and community development in Crawford County that has been previously announced on a limited basis in other media. We share it with the entire county and region to highlight investment, jobs, and business and political leader perspectives.

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NEW WASHINGTON, OHIO – Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – Kurt and Kristen Luidhardt recently announced they are investing $200,000 to acquire and renovate the Dutchtown DariBar, a local food establishment. By acquiring the DariBar, the couple ensured the retention of 15 part-time jobs and the full-time General Manager position. The announcement was first made on March 23 in The New Washington Herald.

The Luidharts have owned their own marketing company since 2006, but they chose to start this new venture because of their connection to the community and to the business. Kurt is a New Washington native and often frequented the DariBar with his family. “I want to give back to New Washington,” said Kurt, “and I want to keep it a fun and enjoyable experience, like I had when I was growing up here.”

Investment into the business includes buying the business and property, essential equipment, computers, and state-of-the-art point-of-sale software. Starting on May 22, the Dutchtown DariBar will also implement a new locally-sourced burger menu in partnership with Gochenour Meats & More, also based in New Washington.

New Washington Mayor Ben Lash was pleased with the announcement, saying, “We are excited to see new investment in New Washington as well as preserving a piece of our history and a local business. We congratulate the Luidharts and welcome them as part of our business community.”

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About the Crawford Partnership

Started in 2006, the Crawford Partnership for Education and Economic Development is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving collaborative economic, community and workforce development in Bucyrus, Galion, Crestline, New Washington, and all of Crawford County, Ohio. Twice in the last four years, the community has been nationally ranked in the top 20% for economic development and is pursuing an aggressive, strategic, and comprehensive agenda to become a community of choice for business and residents. To learn more about the Crawford Partnership, please visit us at crawfordpartnership.org

Disclaimer: While the Crawford Partnership issues press releases on economic, community, and workforce development projects, resources, assets, advantages, and activities in Crawford County, Ohio, to strengthen the community’s image and to promote additional development, publication of such announcements does not imply direct assistance from The Partnership unless specified.