Pandemic reset: Folsom couple adopts trailer life to save business

In March of 2020, Folsom residents John and Tahni Voelz had finally opened their doors to Reset Café on Sutter Street in the Historic District. Opening week, the unique cafe was packed full of celebration and fun. However, the Voelz' and many others did not know what was about to happen. Nearly two weeks after opening day, Reset Café was closed down, due to the coronavirus pandemic. During April 2020, Reset was only allowed to do take-out, but luckily, they were able to open their doors again to the public in May 2020. From there, the workers were put under heavy restrictions, such as requiring the sale of food with alcohol, making sure all customers were wearing masks plus social distancing. "The pandemic was an extreme roller coaster ride of starts and stops. New regulations and rays of hope mixed with a lot of tears," John Voelz said. Once back open to the public, John and Tahni Voelz said they were under great stress, due to the extra costs for outdoor heating, increased space, more sanitization and safety precautions. They had drained all their savings and retirement funds in order to keep Reset afloat. Through it all, the couple wanted to do anything they could to keep the cafe that they had dreamed of opening for years up and running. Being travelers and campers for many years, they had a 2006 Airstream that they had traveled to several national parks in. One night, the couple discussed the possibility of living in an Airstream, getting to travel as well as continuing to operate Reset Cafe. Since that night, the couple has sold everything and found their way to being debt-free business owners. "That conversation quickly became our new reality," said Voelz. "Tahni and I sold everything we owned, our Volkswagen Bug,our 2006 Airstream, our 4Runner and our house." After selling everything, they were able to buy a 30-foot Airstream and a Ford F250 to pull it. With the leftover money, they were able to keep Reset running as well as be financially stable enough to still travel in their new Airstream. "We love Airstreams and we love each other so we're counting on those things to help us thrive," he said. "We're looking forward to a simpler life. We're excited to be in a better place financially. And we get to take our home with us wherever we want to go." While they plan to travel, the couple plans to remain local residents of Folsom. When they aren't traveling, their new home on wheels has a permanent place in one of Folsom's mobile home parks They have all the amenities they need to cook, clean, eat, sleep and enjoy a cup of coffee at the dining table or out on the patio they have created in their yard that isn't much larger than the travel trailer itself. The coronavirus pandemic has brought upon many changes for John and Tahni Voelz, but they are welcoming the new changes. They are excited for their future as well as the future of Reset Café. Reset Café is located at 727 Sutter St. "Some day, we may decide to buy a home again but we might not," said Voelz, who is smiling again, knowing they have some financial security going forward. "We love to travel, we may just decide to live this way forever. It's debt-free and we love it."