By Randy Arrington
LURAY, July 3 — Jimmy Martz retired from Norfolk-Southern back in October, after more than 41 years of service. He started driving a tractor-trailer the next day, while also taking care of the 72-acre family farm along Piney Hill Road between Luray and Stanley. Then in February, he had an epiphany that would add to his retirement responsibilities.
“The word came from the Lord to check on Flotzie’s,” Jimmy said on Monday. “We had no idea we would ever own an ice cream stand.”
Martz purchased Flotzie’s Soft Serve from Brian Samuels, who sold the successful business after a year due to personal reasons. The popular ice cream stand, which can serve between 700 to 800 orders on a busy Friday or Saturday, was greatly missed by the public during its brief hiatus.
“We’re so excited to see Flotzie’s open again,” said Clancy Arnold, Membership Development and Investment Administrator for the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce. “Look at all the people who came out.”
Around 50 friends, supporters and local officials descended on the ice cream stand Monday morning to join the Chamber for a ribbon cutting to mark the official reopening of the site, which has been operating for several weeks.
“Back earlier in the year…people stopped complaining about the round-a-bout [on West Main Street at the Singing Tower] and started asking if Flotzie’s would reopen,” Mayor Jerry Dofflemyer told the July 3 crowd. “We wish you the best of luck, it looks like things are going well. I was out here recently with my wife and the lines were back to the gas pumps…but you have a wonderful staff and they move things along pretty quickly. We thank you so much for investing in Luray. We’re all so glad you’re here.”
Manager Carol Dinges (dressed as the clown in the photo above) was able to bring most of the staff back. Jimmy admits that he and his wife are still getting used to being owners of an ice cream stand, but he never doubted the business move.
“I knew [Flotzie’s] was still closed, and something just drove me to check on it…and me and Brian just clicked,” he said. “We’re still learning, but stick with us…because it will only get better.”
Flotzie’s menu of sundaes, shakes, cones and cups all available in a wide variety of flavors hasn’t changed much — in fact, it hasn’t changed at all.
“We literally did not change anything about this business,” Jimmy said. “If it’s working, why would you change it.”
Now in its 20th summer season, Flotzie’s Soft Serve also offers a place to “chill” and enjoy the surrounding scenery. With multiple picnic tables sitting under umbrellas, the site offers several ways to beat the heat, and multiple ways to entertain the kiddos, from the bubble machine to sidewalk chalk.
“When I come here, I look at everyone sitting here having a good time…not on their phones…just enjoying the moment and each other, ” Jimmy’s wife Anetta said on Monday. “After everyone leaves, while we’re cleaning up…I love to see the artwork on the ground…that’s my favorite part of the day.”
Flotzie’s Soft Serve is open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They stay open an extra half-hour until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are 1 to 9 p.m. The location remains the same —in the corner of the Liberty gas station, adjacent to both McDonald’s and Walmart (1034 Bus. US Hwy 211 West, Luray).
As the bubble machine in front of the ice cream stand draws a few smiles from attendees at the July 3 grand opening, Jimmy assures them that the “panic” that the site’s brief closure caused, will not happen again.
“We wanted a place for people to come and have a good time…and we really think we have that,” the new owner said. “You do not have to worry about Flotzie’s changing hands again…we are committed for the long haul. We’re not planning on going anywhere.”
To learn about Flotzie’s specials or check the “Flavor of the Week”,
visit https://www.facebook.com/flotzies/
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