News

Online Ordering Whistle’s Newest Feature

Coming off the most exciting year in Whistle Stop history has not stopped The Whistle Stop, located in downtown Ansonia, from continuing to improve operations.  “My list of ideas for improving The Whistle is miles long,” joked owner Andrew Riffle.  “The restaurant environment is changing all the time and we want to make sure we are doing our part in keeping up with those changes.”

The Whistle finished and implemented their online ordering feature last week after three months of design and the response has been very positive.  “I wanted to make sure we didn’t rush the project and we did it right,” Riffle explained.  “It took a lot of time and resources to pull this off.  A big asset to me and my business lately has been Jonathan Bateman.  He helped with the design of the website and making a lot of the promotion items to go along with the website.  I made changes daily and he rolled with those changes.  Jennifer Overholster, as well as some others, helped take hundreds of pictures.  I wanted to make sure that when the customers visit the site they instantly become hungry.  I want the customer to enjoy everything from shopping for their supper, to ordering it, and finally actually eating it is a great experience.  I want to also thank a lot of Whistle regulars and friends who helped trial the new system leading up to implementation,” Riffle stated.

Riffle also stated he wanted to thank his employees and his bar manager Jessica Riffle and father Daryl Riffle.  “The employees and Jessica and Dad have handled the day to day operations which has enabled me the time needed to work on all my projects.  I enjoy making improvements and just want the Whistle to continue to improve.  We have completed numerous projects since the Queen of Hearts has finished but unfortunately a lot of those were to improve operations and can’t be seen.  So I am happy we were able to get this completed for our loyal customers.”

Customers wanting to try out the new online ordering feature can visit them at whistlebarandgrill.com and click on the online ordering button.  To keep up with news, specials, and promotions sign up for the Whistle Stop newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE

Queen Of Hearts To Return May 3rd

Having Queen Of Hearts withdrawal? We can help you get your fix. The next Whistle Stop QOH game will begin on Thursday, May 3rd at 9:00 P.M. Tickets go on sale beginning Monday, April 23rd during normal business hours. Out of respect to our employees, volunteers, security personnel, our adjacent neighbors and the entire Village of Ansonia, we have made some changes to the game. The goals for these changes are many. Our intention is to make the game more exciting for the individual that has their name drawn first (if they do not find the QOH), as well as other ticket buyers that may be included in the draw down process.

“Our goal is to keep all of our customers safe while enjoying themselves on Thursday’s all while being a good neighbor to the citizens of Ansonia at the same time,” Whistle Stop Owner Andrew Riffle stated. “Last year the event became larger than anyone could have ever imagined but we learned a ton to make the necessary adjustments needed to satisfy all parties. I still look at the photos from the final evening of last year’s game and it brings a tear to my eye. I can’t thank the customers enough for supporting our great business and more importantly our great town. Many organizations raised money to support their respective projects that will last for years to come. I’m excited for the changes and to kick off another year.”

“We sat down as a team and really wanted to get the details right and make things easier.  The biggest change is probably moving to $5 a ticket but logistically it will make things easier for both sides.  On our side it won’t require as many raffle tickets, ticket sellers and large tumblers and on the patrons end it wont take as long to fill out tickets.  Typically most patrons purchased tickets in increments of $5 anyway and changing the price will not change the odds of the game,” Riffle stated.

These are only a few of the exciting reasons we have made revisions to this, our 4th QOH game. To view all the rules and regulations, please scroll down the page. No questions regarding the Queen of Hearts game will be answered via telephone. See everyone May 3rd!♥

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• GAME START: Thursday, May 3, 2018.
• TICKET SALES START: Monday, April 23, 2018
• STARTING POT: The starting pot will be $144,000, which was the carryover from the last QoH game.
• COST: Tickets are $5.00 each and will be sold during normal business hours. Ticket sales will stop at 8:45 PM on the night of the drawing.
• DRAWING TIME: Held each Thursday (unless otherwise announced) at 9:00 PM EDT.
• PERCENTAGES: A Queen of Hearts winner receives 80% of the total purse if present or 40% if not present. The remaining 20% or 60% will start the next QoH game. If the ticket drawn does not reveal the Queen of Hearts, that individual will receive 10% of the total purse if present or 5% if not present. As in the past, we will wait 5 minutes for the winner to make themselves present.
• VALID TICKETS: One valid ticket will be drawn each week. A valid ticket must have the proper information on it (i.e.  name, phone number, valid number that is remaining on the board). All tickets drawn without the proper information listed above will be forfeited.
• NOTE: The Whistle Stop does not profit from the game itself. All money paid into the game must eventually be paid out of the game.

• FIRST WEEK DRAW DOWN: The first week QoH purse will have a draw down limit of $50,000.00. This means if the purse exceeds $50,000 following the first card (unless it reveals a Queen), it will be drawn down to the $50,000 mark by drawing valid tickets at $5,000.00 per ticket (or a lesser mount, if required) to get the amount down to $50,000.00. ($5,000 draw down amount if present and checked in at the drive-thru window no later than 10:00 PM that same night or $2,500.00 per ticket if not present and checked in at the drive-thru window by 10:00 PM that same night).

• REGULAR DRAW DOWN: The weekly QoH purse will have a cap limit of $100,000.00 and a draw down limit of $100,000.00. This means if the Queen of Hearts is not revealed that week and the total QoH purse is $100,000.00 or higher, the QoH purse will be drawn down to $100,000.00 by drawing valid tickets at $5,000.00 per ticket (or a lesser mount, if required) to get the amount down to $100,000.00. ($5,000 draw down amount if present and checked in at the drive-thru window no later than 10:00 PM that same night or $2,500.00 per ticket if not present and checked in at the drive-thru window by 10:00 PM that same night).

• TAXES: All winning individuals must properly complete IRS form 5754 prior to receiving their winnings.
• WITHOLDINGS: All winning individuals that receive $5,000.00 or more will automatically have 25% of their winnings withheld prior to distribution per IRS form 5754.  Winners will be paid by check.
• CLAIMING WINNINGS: All winning individuals cannot pickup their money until the Tuesday after the weekly drawing during normal business hours.
• CHANGES: The Whistle Stop reserves the right to: change the number of cards drawn each week, change the draw down procedures, make any adjustments deemed necessary in order to maintain the safety of the event
• NO PHONE: No questions regarding the Queen of Hearts game will be answered via telephone.

• EMAIL: Sign up for our email newsletter to stay updated on news surrounding the Queen of Hearts!

A November To Remember

November 3, 2017

The weather in west-central Ohio is changing from Fall to the early stages of Winter. With this is in mind, the Whistle Stop wants to inform you of some changes to the upcoming QOH drawings. These changes are being made out of respect to our employees, volunteers, security personnel, event contractors, customers and of course……Mother Nature.

Queen of Hearts drawing dates

Thursday, November 9 @ 9pm
Thursday, November 16 @ 9pm (if Queen is not found 11.09)
Wednesday, November 22 @ 9pm (If Queen is not found 11.16)
Thursday, November 30 @ 9pm (If Queen is not found 11.22)

NOTE: If we get to the 11.30 drawing, this will be the final drawing for the current game. This will be the process for the 11.30 drawing.

• All tickets drawn without the proper information such as name or number or a valid number that is remaining on the board will be forfeited.
• 1 valid ticket will be drawn for the Queen as normal. If that ticket number does not reveal the Queen, that individual will receive the normal $50.00 if present or $25.00 if not present. Then additional valid tickets will be drawn until Queen is found.
• Valid tickets drawn 11.30 that do not reveal the Queen will receive the normal $50.00 if present or $25.00 if not present.
• We will wait 5 minutes on all valid tickets to make themselves present. Once time expires, the number noted on the valid ticket drawn will be revealed. This process will continue until the Queen is revealed.
• In the event a valid ticket drawn has a number revealed earlier in the drawing that night, that individual will not receive any monetary reward for having their valid ticket drawn and they will not get to pick another number.
• There will be no draw down to $200,000 on November 30th. The individual that has the valid ticket that reveals the Queen will receive either 80% of the total that night (if present) or 40% of the total that night (if not present). The remaining 20% or 60% will start the new game that will begin at a date and time TBD in the Spring of 2018.
• The individual that has the valid ticket that reveals the Queen will automatically have 25% of their winnings withheld prior to distribution per IRS form 5754.
• The individual that has the valid ticket that reveals the Queen will NOT receive their winnings that same night. The money will be distributed within 7 days of winning at a date, place, time mutually agreed upon between the winner and the Whistle Stop.
• In the “extremely rare case” that this Queen of Hearts board does not contain a Queen, the winner will be the individual that has the valid ticket that reveals the very last card.
• No questions regarding the Queen of Hearts game will be answered via telephone.

The Whistle Stop greatly appreciates all the support that has been provided during this great ride. It is hard to believe that this QOH game began back in January of 2017 with a purse of $3,068.00.

Daryl Riffle finds new home at Whistle Stop in Ansonia Ohio

“When I found out about the news of Dad resigning from the fair I immediately got to the drawing board,” youngest son and Whistle Stop owner Andrew Riffle stated.  “When you think of an exceptional employee, community citizen, and father there was no question I had to find a way to bring him in. My parents, including mother Mary Riffle, have always been involved in all of my decision making this far in my life. I am just happy that I am fortunate enough to have so many family members involved. My sister in law Jessica Riffle is the restaurant manager and runs all the day to day operations. My mom and brother Adam Riffle do many things behind the scenes to help with the success of the Whistle. And most importantly my fiancé Kalie Sanders supports me in any way imaginable as well as does a lot of behind the scenes items. With the recent growth of the restaurant, as well as my aggressive schedule of improvements and changes, it takes a team of great family and employees to keep customers happy and our product exceptional.”

When asked what role the elder Riffle would play Andrew replied “Thats the beautiful thing. He can do anything. Anyone who knows Dad knows he has so many talents to offer. That’s why I knew I had to grab him. I can work on his exact duties later. I can tell you he will now run Riffle Mowing and Landscaping, which I have owned since 2001. He will do everything from the book work to the actual mowing. He will be a one man show,” Riffle laughed. “I think he will secure additional mowing yards because people know they can trust him and that he will ensure he does a great job. He will also manage all rentals I own under Riffle Real Estate, LLC. It’s just gotten to be too much as I now have 12 properties,” Andrew said. “He has rentals so he will adjust to that task very easily. Lastly, I can tell you he will have much involvement at The Whistle working on special projects and assisting Jessica with anything she needs. Dad is also on the visitors board so I would love to see him continue to represent our awesome county and The Whistle on that board.”

“I feel like I hit the jackpot on this one. With all six of us involved it’s now a family business,” Riffle beamed. 

Anyone wanting to inquire about lawn care services can contact them at 9374177240. 

More info regarding the Whistle Stop in Ansonia Ohio can be found at whistlebarandgrill.com

Whistle Unveils New Line-Up Of Pizza

The Whistle recently released a line-up of 9 specialty pizzas for the customers this week.  “This has been one of the biggest projects since taking over The Whistle,” Riffle stated.  “When we purchased the business we had some issues with pizzas coming out consistently and we think we finally got them dialed in where we want them last night.”  “We have increased our pizza sales by over 20% in under a year and have added additional pizza ovens to help keep wait times down. We kept getting asked to offer some new products so testing began months ago.  We wanted to make sure we had the proper products to get the perfect taste.  We also developed work instructions to ensure the product is consistent every time the patrons stop by. Customers all over Darke County know that we strive to put a quality pizza in front of them every time they stop by.”

The new pizzas include:

• Loaded Baked Potato
• Bacon Cheeseburger
• Taco
• Philly Steak and Cheese

These four pizzas will join the already popular Meat-lovers, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch, Veggie, and Deluxe pizzas. “In the next year I would like to offer some dessert pizzas, online ordering, and delivery.”   “We appreciate everyone’s support of our local small business and look forward to continuing offering new products in the future,” Riffle stated.