‘We’re not giving up!’: GoFundMe campaign launched to reopen Voltzy’s Root Beer Stand

Voltzy's Root Beer Stand in Moraine has closed temporarily as its owner, Rick Volz, recovers from surgery

Voltzy's Root Beer Stand in Moraine has closed temporarily as its owner, Rick Volz, recovers from surgery
What to Do
By Mark Fisher
Dec 9, 2020
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The manager of Voltzy’s Root Beer Stand in Moraine has launched a GoFundMe account to help reopen the restaurant and support its founder and owner, Rick Volz, who is recovering from surgery.

The carryout restaurant at 4668 Springboro Pike closed temporarily in late November. In a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Samantha “Sammy” Bowman, manager of Voltzy’s Root Beer Stand, wrote that Volz — who has been open about his previous surgeries in which he has had toes and part of his foot amputated — had undergone a below-the-knee amputation of his right leg.

Now, Bowman has launched a GoFundMe account headlined, “We’re not giving up! We just need your help!” As of Wednesday, Nov. 9, the campaign had raised $2,665 toward a goal of $5,000.

“Most of you know me as the girl behind the counter at Voltzy’s Rootbeer Stand. I am setting up this go fund me for numerous reasons,” Bowman wrote. “The main reason is to help keep Voltzy’s alive! Unfortunately Rick (Voltzy) himself has had to face a lot of health issues this year which has led to a recent BTK (below the knee amputation) of his right leg along with an ICD implant.”

The surgery and recovery time “means we will be closed until further notice, because even though serving all of you is one of our greatest pleasures in life, Rick’s health is our main priority!”

Bowman, a mother of a 3-year-old boy, said she cannot reopen the restaurant by herself at this time.

“We understand this year has been horrible for everyone,” Bowman wrote. “But if there is the slightest chance you guys are willing to help us, we promise the money will go towards the business, our personal bills /needs as well as Rick’s medical needs. ... We love each and every one of you and appreciate all of your love and support. If you’re unable to donate anything, we completely understand, we just ask that you guys keep us in your thoughts and prayers!”

Voltzy’s was forced to shut down for an extended time earlier this year when Volz had surgery in April. The restaurant, which has operated for 30 years, reopened in September. An earlier foot surgery in 2016 forced Voltzy’s Root Beer Stand to shut down for nearly five months, and another surgery in 2017 closed the restaurant for about three weeks.

Voltzy’s is known for its burgers and sandwiches — some named after politicians and celebrities — as well as its house-made soups, slaw dogs, coneys and root beer floats. But it is perhaps best-known for the larger-than-life personality of its owner, who greets customers by name and delivers good-natured, occasionally R-rated taunts and one-liners in rapid-fired banter with his regular customers, and occasionally even with “newbies” Volz thinks can take the ribbing.

For more information about Voltzy’s, check out the Voltzy’s Rootbeer Stand Facebook page. For more information on the GoFundMe effort, go to www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-rick-and-sammy-keep-voltzys-alive.

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About the Author

Mark Fisher, a 1981 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, is a third-generation Dayton-area resident who has worked for the Dayton Daily News since 1983. He covered higher education and K-12 education accountability issues for nearly 20 years before taking over the food and dining beat in 2006.