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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
LeeAnna Ventura's children were growing up. She was about to be an "empty nester" and really wanted to give her life a good shake. She had never been in the restaurant or food business, but knew she would like it and be good at it.
LeeAnna and her husband, George, were fans of HoneyBaked Ham and thought it would be a wonderful addition to Washington County. They contacted company headquarters in Norcross, Georgia, but were discouraged when they were told that the company would never consider an outlet in the St. George area. The market was just not big enough.
LeeAnna and George knew that as one of the nation's fastest growing counties, Washington County would make a great setting for a store. Not long after rejecting her proposal, HoneyBaked Ham officials called back LeeAnna and invited her to Georgia.
In June 2004, HoneyBaked Ham and Café opened on Telegraph Street in Washington City. This was the first outlet in Utah that was not a company-owned store. It was also the first to offer hot sandwiches that generated business during all seasons.
I have known about the company for years. I am one of hundreds who has stood in line in the cold to pick up my Christmas or Easter ham. But this was the first time I sat down in the store and enjoyed a great sandwich. I marveled at the extensive menu of sandwiches, soups, desserts and salads. There are delicious melts that are served warm, HoneyBaked favorites and sandwiches called the "New Originals." There are actually 18 sandwiches on the menu but I'm sure you could create your own if you felt creative and adventurous.
The store does a big catering business with boxed lunches, sandwiches, meat platters and big buffet offerings to satisfy any gathering. Successful? Well, LeeAnna is happy and so are her customers. The place was jumping during my visit.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
