Mike and Stefanie Nott, owners of The County Seat on Courtyard Square, opened the restaurant during Spring Ho. PHOTO BY MARIE WHITTINGTON For Mike and Stefanie Nott, The County Seat is their home away from home. But guests are always welcome.

Regardless of the time of day, patrons who enter the recently renovated restaurant on the corner of South Live Oak and East Third Street will almost certainly run into one, if not both, of the owneroperators at some point during their meals.

Nott described the establishment as a “family restaurant” and said he is committed to making sure he emphasizes both aspects of the business.

“The community is making our living possible,” he said. “It is our responsibility to give back.

“When you open a business, you ask yourself, ‘Where do I want to a make a long-term commitment?’ [Lampasas] is where we want to call home.”

After learning the craft of being restaurateurs from mentor Andy Lella in Gatesville, the Notts have operated several eating establishments in McGregor, Waco and Gatesville before relocating to Lampasas where Mrs. Nott’s family lives.

When searching for a location to construct the second incarnation of The County Seat — the couple owned a restaurant of the same name in Gatesville — they instantly were drawn to the town square’s abandoned corner building.

“I fell in love with the location,” Nott said. “There is lots of history here.”

The century-old building housed First National Bank — the first incorporated bank in Lampasas — in the early 1900s, Cass Rexall Drug Store through the 1950s and a series of restaurants over the last 15 years.

While the structure itself is rich with history, the inside decor also is reminiscent of old-time Lam- pasas, and the restaurant’s slogan is “Where history meets home cookin.’”

The walls are adorned with black and white photos depicting the town square prior to pavement, and a multitude of antiques, artwork and quaint wooden furniture fill out the dining hall.

Local sports buffs soon will be able to enjoy the restaurant’s “Badger Buffet,” where Lampasas athletic memorabilia will be on display as customers make trips to the everyday all-you-can-eat buffets.

“The local historical societies and the Keystone Square Museum have been a big help,” Nott said.

Despite being open to the public for less than two weeks, the restaurant and its owners already have greeted numerous visitors in a hectic whirlwind of activity, thanks in part to the city’s annual Spring Ho Festival that draws people from across Central Texas.

But the Notts have no reservations when it comes to making their home away from home everyone else’s as well.

“At times, I was worried if we would have enough food,” Nott said jokingly. “But it is a good problem to have.”