MONTEZUMA, Ga. — As Macon County's population continues to shrink, one family-owned restaurant remains a bright spot in the small community .

Yoder Deitsch Haus has served Southern-German inspired cuisine in Montezuma for 41 years, attracting loyal customers even as the county faces demographic challenges. According to the U.S. Census, Macon County's population has dropped nearly 20% since 2010 to just over 11,000 residents.

Michael Yoder, one of 12 children, has run the restaurant for nearly 30 years after taking over from his father, who started the business in 1984. The family's dedication to the restaurant runs deep.

"He still worked with us for a while, but his health didn't hold up because he wanted to be in here," Yoder said of his father. "We used to try to get him to take vac

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