Rick Veon: A Gentleman You’ll Remember Much More than Mustard

He has that smile. Ya know, the kind of smile that makes you smile. And then, after him and then you, everyone else in the room ends up smiling.

That kind of smile. Ya know, a lights-up-a-room kind of smile.

So sure, yeah, you’ll be able to find him in a room thanks to his ear-to-ear calling card, but the grin won’t be the reason why you most definitely will remember Rick Veon. Oh no, there exist so many more.

Like his love for his hometown and the happiness he has now that he’s married to his high school sweetheart, Heather. Or the tales Veon tells about his “back in the day” first life in Wheeling, and the acquaintances he made then who have turned out to be life-long friends since his return in 2020.

And with him, the Linsly alum (Class of 1987) brought home an expanse of food service experience from extra-large American markets and now he’s owned and operated the very popular Belmont Brewerks in Martins Ferry for the past year.

So, holy-moly-absolutely you will discuss with him “The Sandwich.” Not “sandwiches in general,” mind you. Seriously, please do not make that mistake. Trust in this: “THE. SANDWICH.”

Now, it might not be immediately mentioned during someone’s first conversation with Rick, but it’ll happen over something as silly as mustard and the fact the condiment must – most-definitely-without-discussion – be on the bottom piece of bread (something about, “the delivery of the multiple flavors included” … blah, blah, blah).

Again, attempt no debate.

But goodness, by no means, by golly, will any of that represent why you’ll remember Mr. Rick Veon either.

You will remember Rick Veon simply because he’s a real good dude.

Have you ever made the perfect sandwich?  

The answer is simple … Hell NO! 

If you were to actually make the perfect sandwich why would you keep trying?  For me, to make something to perfection means there is no better sandwich to be made, ergo my sandwich career would be over. 

However, I have made some truly awesome sandwiches, and some are retired, and some are still on my menu today. The California Club, for example … roasted turkey breast, bacon, Swiss, guacamole, tomato, organic field greens, mayo, toasted croissant.

It’s currently retired, but who knows? 

How did the Upper Ohio Valley change the most while you were living in Arizona and Illinois? 

To tell the absolute truth, it really did not change that much. Sure, friends and family got older, but other than that the downtown still looks the same except we don’t use it anymore (what a waste).  Oglebay still looks relatively the same to me, Dicarlo’s in the Grove is now Patsy’s, the Suspension Bridge is always closed, the Alpha, oh well, we all know that story, but other that, time pretty much stood still. 

What did a mentor of yours teach you that you still remember today?

That’s a simple one seeing that my one true mentor was my dad, and he said, “Richard, don’t take shit from nobody!” 

I have stood by that logic my whole life and I still believe and practice that every day.  

Where is your favorite overlook of the Wheeling area, and how often do you visit?

The Mount Wood Cemetery in North Park.  What a great view and the graves are extremely old yet in good shape.  The view down the river is still the best view in the valley for me. 

I used to go there in high school to be by myself and 35 years later I still find myself up there just to be alone to think and find inspiration.

Is Dagwood your favorite comic strip character? Why or why not?

I never was a big comic strip reader, so it is safe to say I don’t know much about any of the characters.  Sure, I know Peanuts, Marmaduke, and a couple of others, but I would be lying if I said I had a favorite and why. 

However, to put a little twist into this question, I was always a big Hong Kong Phooey fan.  Don’t even have a solid “why” he is my favorite. I just remember loving the cartoon.