Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 288 HTCinc.net | Fall 2016 With so many delectable dishes to choose from, the senses come alive during a visit to The Grind, tempted by fragrances wafting through the air and carrying with them the promise of a delicious meal. From the appetizing aromas of Charleston-roasted coffee brewing in the background to the fresh baking breads in the oven, soups simmering on the stove and sweet-smelling herb baskets growing in the restaurant’s small garden, it is all part of a charming experience where no detail is overlooked. And sometimes, that means taking the hard road. “Honestly, it’s harder to source fresh tomatoes from this farm, then go down to another place for fresh-made goat cheese, and another place for micro-greens,” adds John. “It's harder, but it's better. Many larger restaurants just can’t do that, which we totally understand, because they are producing at a much higher volume. Our goal has always been to get the best product we can.” The pair must be doing something right — their fixation on fresh ingredients has earned them a dedicated local fan base. Inside the restaurant’s colorful walls, the café culture is abuzz — friends sip lattes as they socialize; colleagues put in a lunch hour of team building on The Grind’s free Wi-Fi network; neighbors gossip over melt-in-your-mouth meringue. As is traditional for Southern food, this local gem truly has the ability to bring people together. “I think the community has really embraced us,” says Kristin. “We absolutely love that factor.” Sophisticated coffee selections and fresh-made paninis may have seemed a bit exotic to Loris locals at first, but they have rallied around The Grind in more ways than one. The restaurant plays a regular role in community fundraisers and serves as a local gift shop of sorts, selling novelty items like local honey. Even the café’s eclectic group of chairs was donated by community members, giving it a mismatched look that accurately represents the unique and special customers John and Kristin have come to call friends. Ultimately, that’s what makes the effort of owning and operating a restaurant worth it for the Sedlaks: the people. “We genuinely love that we are providing good people with good food,” explains Kristin. “There’s nothing really like this here, and they deserve it.” “It’s incredibly gratifying,” adds John. “What we do is hard, but we get such a sense of pride providing the community with this.” It seems like the world could use about 150 more locations of The Grind. While no franchise deals are in the works, the couple is keeping a keen eye on the possibility of a homemade ice cream parlor. One thing is for sure: With the Sedlaks at the helm, any addition is sure to satisfy. “I think the difference is that we do the small things right,” says Krist in. “For example, all of our soups are homemade, as well as our but ter, our salad dressings and so on.” Whether you’re coming from near or far, a scoop of legendary chicken salad or a pumpkin spice latte makes any trip to The Grind worthwhile. Visit at 5009 Main Street in Loris to get a taste for yourself during breakfast or lunch, or have The Grind cater your next event! To find out more, check them out on Facebook and Instagram, or call 843-756-1883.