62 Years at The Root Beer Stand, Not Much Has Changed
SHARONVILLE, Ohio – The Root Beer Stand in Sharonville, just north of Cincinnati, hasn't seen much change over the decades.
- Family-owned since 1957
- Busiest days might serve 300 gallons of root beer
- The Root Beer Stand uses well water on the property
Only two families have ever owned the stand, located at 11566 Reading Road.
Eric Burroughs in-laws bought it nearly 30 years ago from the original owners. He has run the stand for the last several years.
The Root Beer Stand started as an A&W franchise in 1957, but that went away in 1982.
That's probably been the most significant change.
The root beer and chili hasn't changed.
“We make it the exact same way,” Burroughs said. “In fact, we use the exact same equipment.”
If something breaks they have to order custom parts. Burroughs said if anything in the root beer process changes, the root beer itself changes.
“If you change any part of how its delivered it can even change the consistency, or the flavor, or the texture almost. So we really try and keep everything as original as you can which makes us incredibly unique.”
The chili recipe is a little more guarded. But even if you have the ingredients it'd be hard to replicate.
“It's actually written on a little card that's laminated. And it's not even in correct metric measurement. It's like one cup, but you have to have the right cup that we've had for 25 years to actually do it.”
What makes The Root Beer Stand special, aside from its loyal customers, is the water used for the root beer.
“One of the really special things about our root beer is that it is made with our own water source. We don't use municipal water, we use a well that is actually on site. It has a unique makeup which gives it a specific flavor.”
On a busy summer day, The Root Beer Stand might serve 300 gallons of root beer and 800 foot-longs.
The Root Beer Stand is open March through September, seven days a week.