Page 19 - OhioAlaCarteSummer2011

Since its founding in 1947, The Clarmont has proudly stood sentinel on the corner of Sycamore and South High Street. The restaurant provides a glimpse at a bygone era as customers enter its doors and fnd themselves immersed in an establishment that harkens back to 1950s Americana. The restaurant’s soft lighting and plush seating welcome guests to relax in understated elegance as they dine on premium steak cuts and fresh seafood.

Thom Coffman, the restaurant’s owner and operator since 1996, said that the key to his restaurant’s long-established success is that its operators – there have been four in all – have never forgone providing customers with the highest quality center-of-the-plate offerings. Whether customers seek the freshest seafood or the fnest cuts of pork, lamb or beef, they are never disappointed in what The Clarmont’s chefs create. Coffman, who readily admits that his favorite dish is the restaurant’s rack of lamb, also believes that it’s the overall experience of The Clarmont – the food, the ambiance and the service – that has kept generations of Central Ohio customers returning time and time again.

Coffman, who served as the chairman of the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) from 2007-2008, was not always the restaurateur one fnds him to be today. He admitted that in his “frst life” he was an engineer, but that he felt the desire to leave that world when he realized he wanted more one-on-one interaction with people. So, in 1983, he left the engineering world and served as a pantry worker making salads, cutting desserts and preparing cold appetizer plates in a restaurant. It wasn’t long before he moved up the ranks and decided that he wanted to take a more active role in the restaurant industry. And, the rest, as they say, is history. Coffman, who still serves on the boards of directors for both the ORA and ORAEF, believes that every responsible restaurant operator should be involved with the statewide association. He feels that governmental issues are the most important matters facing today’s industry and, thus, he gives generously of his time to help the ORA confront political issues that impact the state’s operators.

“Advocacy is my frst love,” Coffman said. “The ORA works very hard to assure that the business community remains favorable to small business owners across the state. Over the years, it’s gotten harder and harder for independent operators to run their businesses, and the ORA understands the value of being proactive in a climate where politics are often reactive.”

In addition to his love of government advocacy, Coffman noted that today’s successful business operator needs to be a “jack of all trades.” He stressed the importance of knowing every aspect of business in order to succeed. Gone are the days when different management personnel handled various aspects of a restaurant’s operation. He said that most independent operators today have to be part-human resources specialist, regulations and compliance offcer and guest satisfaction representative. He believes that the economic climate has forced smaller staffs to be more self-reliant and wear more hats than they’ve had to in previous years.

Despite the challenges today’s foodservice operators face, Coffman admitted that he couldn’t imagine what his life would have been like if he hadn’t made the decision to enter the world of restaurant hospitality.

“One of the main reasons I decided to get into the business was to get to know people and build relationships with them,” Coffman said. “We have three and four generations of customers that visit The Clarmont and they do so because it’s a special place with fond memories and where they can build new ones. It’s an amazing feeling to put smiles on peoples’ faces when they enjoy your food and your restaurant’s service. I can’t imagine my life without this place.”

For many Central Ohioans and customers around the state, Coffman’s continued commitment to the restaurant also resounds strongly with them. A landmark establishment in Columbus’ German Village, The Clarmont will celebrate its 64th anniversary this year and no one could be prouder of the restaurant’s impact on the city than Coffman.

The Clarmont has proudly stood sentinel on the corner of Sycamore and South High Street since it was founded in 1947. This year, the restaurant will celebrate its 64th anniversary as Columbus’ oldest “white-tablecloth” establishment.

Thom Coffman, ORA Chairman from 2007-2008, often greets customers at his landmark restaurant. Coffman credits the restaurant’s success to its combination of ambiance, service and fare that keep generations of customers enjoying The Clarmont.