THE HARVEST OF SUCCESS in downtown Rome that the Harvest Moon Café began more than 11 years ago will doubtless continue for years to come after the business finds a new owner — hopefully of the hometown variety. What’s become a regional landmark and destination has been put up for sale — asking price $840,000 — as driving force Ginny Kibler talks about taking a breather and husband Doc speaks about moving on to the next idea, as entrepreneurs are wont to do.

The restaurant and adjoining Honeymoon Bakery are probably the anchoring landmark of what Broad Street has become. When the Kiblers took over the old Fahy’s department store building, built in 1895, and renovated it (by the way, that’s for sale, too, for an added $1,200,000) they started something big — at last count there are now about 17 places to eat or drink in the city’s core. The Kiblers provided proof positive that Romans had an appetite for interesting dining and wining not only during the day but also at night, and that conviviality after working hours sold as well as Southern cuisine.

The Kiblers created something unique — and the description fits not only the menu, setting and décor. They created evidence of Broad Street’s great potential, which is still being taken advantage of now by others as the area increasingly becomes a job-creation engine, a pleasant place to dwell and a busy business/office environment.

That, more than anything, is the really special thing that the Kiblers cooked up.