Multimedia Reporting (Kuhr-Musser)

As the weather outside gets warmer, Craig Nowatzke, owner of the Sun Dog Hot Dog stand on Massachsetts street in Lawrence, prepares for a boost in sales.

It’s getting hot, and so is the food at the Sun Dog hot dog stand on 8th and Massachusetts Street. Owner, Craig Nowatzke is starting his first full year in the business. “I opened up last Christmas and ran it through the summer, then I opened it back up on St. Pattys day this year.

Craig Nowatzke, a Lawrence native, decided to start the business when his friend opened a stand a few years ago and did well. “It seemed like an easy way to break in on being a business man,” he said.

The Sun Dog hot dog stand has all the standard items that commonly come with the territory. Nowatzke sells hot dogs, large and small, smoked sausage, polish sausage, veggie bratwurst, chips, and drinks. ”Then I do a specialty sandwich from time to time like a Rueben, which was a big hit on St. Patty’s day,” said Nowatzke. He also has a variety of toppings such as relish, onions, saurkraut, horse radish, chipotle mustard, jalepenos, and ketchup.

Nowatzke said his sales are fairly unpredictable, but as expected, warm sunny days bring in business. “When it is sunny, people are in a good mood, and they are more likely to buy a dog on a whim,” he said. His stand, which has been open for a total of six months, has broke even on profits. “I didn’t expect much more than that and I am pleased with breaking even for now,” he said. He said his selling goal every week is $1,000 in order to make a profit. He believes the peak of his sales hit around Christmas time last year. “Last year the business steadily grew the whole year. This year has picked up recently, but I don’t think I have hit the ceiling yet,” he said.
However, Nowatzke does have a portrait photography business to fall back on. “I am reworking it now, but it needs more dollars to be successful,” he said. Nowatzke said he can always count on his regulars. “The good thing about being on Mass Street is that so many businesses surround me, and it is an easy walk for someone who is on their lunch break,” he said. Tim Nauman, a regular customer and good friend, comes around twice a week to get his fix. “I come for some good conversation, and I think it is great for Lawrence to have something like this, it’s great to be outside enjoying the weather.” Although, Nauman’s taste buds are a bit boring, according to Nowatske. “All he gets is a hot dog, plain, with just the bun,” Nowatzke joked.

Nowatzke admits that running his own business is tough at times. Nowatzke, who is in a wheelchair, said stocking the cart is hard for him because he usually has to go to three different stores. “Cases of soda and bags of ice get pretty heavy,” he said.

Natalie Mason, who works on Massachusetts street, said that she admires his work ethic. “I walk by here every morning when he is setting up the stand, all by himself, and he is done in the blink of an eye. His handicap is not noticeable, he doesn’t let it slow him down in the least,” she said.

The hot dog vending business is one that has a long history attached to it. In 1871, Charles Feltman, a German butcher, opened up the first Coney Island Hot Dog stand in Brooklyn, New York. In 1893, Chris Ahe, the owner of the St. Louis browns, started selling hot dogs at the ballpark. But, it wasn’t until 1936 that Oscar Mayer rolled out the first portable Hot Dog cart. They called it the “Wiener Mobile.”

And, while hot dog vending may not sound like a very lucrative business, one might be surprised. In New York City, a hot dog vendor can make anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 a year.

According to Nowatzke, he said there is one key to the business. “It is all about being in a high traffic area,” said Nowatske. “Downtown Lawrence is thriving, and I am happy to be here.”

Photo by Beth Breitenstein A customer buys a can of coke at the Sun Dog hot dog stand. Owner, Craig Nowatzke, sells chips and drinks along with his other items.

Photo by Beth Breitenstein Craig Nowatzke, owner of Sun Dog Hot Dogs sets up his shade umbrellas to keep his products out of the sun on a hot day. Nowatzke has been in business for about 6 months.

TImeline by Beth Breitenstein

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