“Many of you know Roush’s has been for sale for more than a year. It was our hope Roush’s would move on to the third generation of owners, for the benefit of the employees, the many faithful and loyal patrons, as well as the Fairborn community. It appears now that won’t be happening.
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“Mike is ready to retire and spend more time with family and friends (and the yard). We decided to let our employees know in advance of the closing to help allow time for them to seek other employment. We also wanted to let our loyal clientele know so they may come and enjoy their favorite Roush’s entree.
“We hope that Roush’s has been a great place to work and our employees have enjoyed working for us as much as we’ve enjoyed them. … Thank you all for your support.”
The restaurant was founded in 1961 on North Broad Street after Walter Roush and Arthur McGuffey purchased the Dairy Crest ice cream store and opened a restaurant. Roush’s Restaurant moved to its current location in 1975.
Mike Gharst, who had worked at Roush’s Restaurant when he was in high school, and his wife purchased the restaurant in 1988 and have operated it since. The couple say on the restaurant’s web site that they “tried to change as little as possible. New specials and face-lifts have been added over the years, but Roush’s is still the same as it was envisioned” when it was founded.
Tributes to the restaurant have poured in on the Roush's Restaurant Facebook page, including this one from Amy Todd Newbauer:
“This is so sad. … It’s been a life-long tradition in our family to go here to have many meals along with the many meals we’ve bought and brought back home to eat. Roush’s will surely be missed.
“Thank you Mike and Joyce Gharst for carrying on the tradition of Roush’s. Thank you for your dedicated service to Fairborn.”
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