04/18/2024
I wanted to personally say thank you to all of the Hotdog lovers out there for the continued support over the years. After 9 yrs we are finally closing this chapter of my life. It's with a heavy heart after such a long and quite memorable experience. It will always be something I will be looked back upon fondly and cherish. Let's take a small walk down memory lane where Life is Short, Eat better Weiners and Uptown Dogs.
From all of the music festivals Hoxeyville Music Festival to Dunesville Music Festival and so many others events and festivals through that time. The transformations over the years start with our first 1970s NY push style cart getting out on the streets at 10am pushing it up and down Front St all day 6 days sometimes 7 setting up outside of Union St until 3am that first year back in 2015 and always getting talked to by the DDA and the codes commission for vending outside of the off beat spots the board of directors allowed at the time lol 🤣 😂
To being the first vendor with Menards ever giving the same opportunity for others all across America. Setting up outside of SideTraxx Dance Bar on the weekends. My grandmother once said to me. Colbye (that's me by the way) You can't be selling hotdogs outside of the gay bar! To my reply; Why Grandma is 2016 and the gay guys love a hot wiener. (She slapped me in a playful manner on my arm and smirked) The late nights pulling double duty and skipping over to the old Hallow to catch the last act playing and feed the after hours class.
The wine pairings with local vineyards such as Bluestone Vineyards and Left Foot Charley Winery Those late night weddings we'd cater. Helping to create moments that people will remember with love. The new couples along with their friends and family, usually livated with excitement and other things. All of the horse shows at the fair grounds thanks to a friends mom. Wink 😉🤫 thanks Cathy.
All of TCFF and the free movies in the Open Space.
Downtown Friday Night Live street fairs. My boys growing up out there in the hustle working quite a few of the local communities events. To building the hotdog shack The Coin Slot the summer of 2017 as well as being nationally recognized as one of the top hotdog stands reaching publications for national hotdog Day.
Then in 2018 3.5 short years we unveiled our first restaurant. Retro fitted an old hair salon into one of the coolest hotdog joints ever. Located between to Brady's and Max Bauers on Union St all the weekend late night staying open to feed the closing crowds to the amazing service industry workers that are the backbone of this community. Though short lived we closed our doors due to Covid and the impending economy at that time.
With the fall of Covid so many businesses like mine felt the burden of the loss of tourism, employee retention, changing laws and licensing with being open, so many small business not being able to survive. I was fortunate and smart enough to invest in building another food truck. The Mini Food Truck was born and we converted a 1974 Cushman Truckster into one of the countries smallest food trucks and that what was to be the flagship of what remains of Uptown Dogs. We were eager to get back to work once the Covid dust finally settled and reality started to be somewhat normalized once again.
When festivals first came back and the sound of music returned to the woods in the late spring beginning of 2021 in Michigan. We had our first festival back a 3 day weekend with Greensky Bluegrass. I fell Ill with was at the time and flat lined at the hospital later that weekend. I was diagnosed with Acute B Lymblastic Leukemia. I was in shock and things looking down. Thank you to those who reached out with kind words or helped the cause during that time period. To all my friends and family that kept my spirits high with laughter and my heart strong at stage. The next 1.5yrs were challenging and a struggle after being given a month to live and still kicking up some dust eyes later. Thanks is all I can say. You have forever my gratitude.
After that its been a slow start to get back to operating and we liked it that way. In 2022 I decided to go a different direction with our food and creating mouthgasims once again. Gourmet Mac and Cheese 🧀
What can I say it's now 2024 and it's 9ys not waking up to the man and a 9-5. It's time.......
So to art that was once upon a time known as:
The Best thing since Bananas
Recommended by 11 out of 9 doctors
Voted The World's Best Hotdog by "Some Guy in Chicago"
We want to say goodbye. To whom it may concern thank you for all of the support for the better half of the last decade. There are so many individuals to thank, so many people we've met along the way. The stories and laughter shared over a meal. The pure joy of food and the sense of community it brings to the masses as it brings them together.
Just know the Guy handed out your favorite hotdog is surely a friend. 😆
Be sure to look for our newest venture already making waves across Michigans events and festivals The Mac Attack we will be sure to have your taste buds captivated with delight.
I've decided to keep a couple of the fan favorites on our new venture. You'll still be able to get your Americana Dog for the purest at heart as well as our renowned Chili Cheese Dogs with Woodward Detroit Chili and that flame melted Real Cheddar Cheese on top. Yummmmmm
For the rest of time it has been my sincere pleasure to put my wiener in your mouths...... 🌠ummm 🤔
It's hotdogs grown up and remember.
Life is Short, Eat better Weiners.
