So I am making the arrangements for my new location. One of the things I need to get is a site permit. To do this I need to meet with the building inspector. He just wants to review the site, see where I'll be in relation to the lot entrances and double check the parking layout. When we meet, he expects me to have a plot plan marked up with all this stuff.
In the old days, this would mean trudging off to City Hall or the Engineering department to review assessor's maps and then trying to find a drawing with the parking lot layout etc.
The internet has eliminated that chore. I simply went to the city website, found their online GIS assessor's maps and located my property. I blew up the image of the plot plan, superimposed a satellite image to verify the parking layout (with actual cars in some spaces) and the location of my power source and VOILA! I have a suitable layout for my meeting.
It sure beats trudging out on a snowy day and waiting for other people to make copies for me.
I LOVE the internet!
Why I LOVE the Internet
NEW LOCATION!!!
The Big Announcement has FINALLY COME!! The Hot Dog Truck has a NEW LOCATION.
I will be located at 420 Maple Street (route 85) in Marlborough, MA-in the parking lot of the Gold's Gym. I hope to be picking up a new truck this Thursday. Barring a catastrophe, I should be ready to open Monday, March 3 (weather permitting).
For all you fans of the Hot Dog Truck in the office park, I am only about 2 miles up the road from where I was, so come down and check it out.
I have to do some running around to get my permits, insurance and power-though I have power to a pole in the parking lot, so that will just involve a phone call.
Details on the new truck will follow, STAY TUNED....
NEW LOCATION
A month and a half of phone calls and searching has FINALLY yielded me a NEW LOCATION!!!! I am finalizing the details this Friday, February 1 and I will post the address and particulars then. The new spot is not too far from my old spot and I am delighted to be there!
Now I will go out and purchase a new hot dog truck or trailer-this is the fun part! Whatever I acquire, it will be a lot nicer than the junky old hot dog truck I have been operating for the past three years. Whether I get a trailer or a truck, I will be able to take it to events on weeknights and weekends; the hotdogman will be truly mobile!
I plan on opening Monday, March 3, weather permitting.
Stay tuned.......
New Hot Dog Truck
I have spent the last week or so looking around for a new Hot Dog Truck. I have a location, but I won't announce it just yet-not until I "seal the deal." Once that's done, I'll be getting a NEW HOT DOG TRUCK to better serve the hot dog loving populace. Then I'll get permits and before you know it, I'll be open again!
I even plan to take it on the road to fairs, soccer tournaments etc-details to follow.
Stay tuned...
Weekly Update
This week's update is more of the same. Nothing CONCRETE to report yet. I will say that I have a couple of locations for the Hot Dog Truck in the works. I am also seriously considering another "storefront" location. I am at the point where I need to pull the trigger on something.
I will say this: If I get a new location for the Hot Dog Truck, I will be acquiring a NEW Hot Dog Truck and will be offering my services for events, private parties and the like.
As always, I will keep my hot dog loving fans informed, so STAY TUNED......
Weekly Update
I have been goofing on my quest for a new location on my new comic strip site, All Around. Finding a new location is serious business though. I don't want to be too far from where I was, lest I lose all my old customers. At the same time, I don't want to put myself in a bad situation. I have one or two solid spots, but they might not work for me.
I'm also continuing the quest for an indoor location.
Whatever I end up doing, I want it to be the right spot for me. I have even considered having several different locations. I'd be in one spot one day each week and another on another day and so on. That way I can spread the hot dog gospel across a broader geography!
Stay tuned....
New Location Update
The update is....there is no update.
I have been checking out a bunch of spots, but nothing has solidified. The cafe option looks to be on the back burner for the time being. If anyone knows someone in the Metrowest area that would be host to the hot dog truck, please let me know! I'll be getting a new truck when I wrap up a location, the old hot dog truck is destined for retirement. If you want to buy it, make an offer!
Once I get a new truck, I'll be doing some events and I'll be "for hire" on selected weekends.
Stay tuned......
Progress Report
Business at the "new" location has been brisk, with the exception of this past Monday when it was pouring rain most of the day.
I am only at the new spot until December 21 when I'll pack it in for the season. I wouldn't mind staying where I am, but the property owners don't want the traffic.
At least I get to finish the season in the vicinity. Moving too far away would have been a pain and probably would have impacted business.
Tuna salad and Chicken salad are all done for the season. It gets too cold at night and the mayonaisse freezes, even in the refrigerator.
This will be the first winter I'll be closed since 2004-2005!
