by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Around 10 a.m., most days, white smoke mingles with the coffee tinged air of Downtown and it is a signal that lets lunch crowds know hot dog vendors have punched the clock.
Hot dogs are not only a delicious treat to carnivores everywhere, but they can also provide a viable means of financial support. With 16 of Downtown’s 26 spaces occupied by hot dog vendors, there is no shortage of entrepreneurs.
“I got into it as a band aid for my employment situation at the time,” said Elton Turner, 53, of Mandarin. “Here I am 12 years later.”
Regularly seen standing at his silver hot dog cart at the corner of Forsyth and Laura streets in a Hawaiian shirt with “Elton” embroidered on the right side, Turner still gets “pumped” coming to work everyday.
“I like being outdoors in the summer,” said Turner, “but I don’t like it in the winter.”
Now that we are all “pumped” about selling hot dogs, let’s put the cart before the dog. The cart is the key component of the hot dog vending business and they come in all different shapes and sizes, just like the stories about how they were picked up.
Kim Peavler, 43, was working for a food broker when her boss asked her if she was interested in buying a cart at a cheap price.
“I figured I’d buy it and double my money,” said Peavler, who has a cart in Hemming Plaza across from City Hall. “Then the business closed, and I still had the cart. Here I am seven years later.”
The hot dog business allowed Peavler to utilize her customer service background.
“I like the people and being my own boss,” said Peavler. “It’s nice to set your own hours and run things the way you want to.”
Hot dog vendors may be their own bosses, but there are still City rules and regulations they must adhere to. A vendor’s permit must be obtained from the Tax Collector’s Office before a space can be assigned. There are a variety of permits, but most hot dog vendors apply for a “Specified Location” permit. This allows vendors to set up on City “right-of-way” — also known as, in most cases, the sidewalk. Vendors can take their pick of location, as long as the spot is not occupied. The duration of a permit can vary from a day to a year, and range in price from $10-$250, respectively.
Vendors must be prepared before they go to the tax collectors office. Requirements for the license include: registering the business with the Florida Division of Corporations ($50), a health permit (fee depends on location and size of business), proof of liability insurance in the amount of $200,000 (about $500 annually), a business tax receipt ($61.25 annually), photo of vending cart, and picture ID for all people operating the cart.
Most vendors set up Monday through Friday for the lunch crowd from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Others like, Eva Strickland, 58, get the most out their time before the long drive home. Strickland has been on State Street in front of Florida Community College at Jacksonville for about eight years and she stays until about 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
“We catch people coming or going home from work at the bus station,” said Strickland. “That why we stay so late.”
She may have a late customer base, but Strickland needs it to pay for the gas to drive to and from her home in Callahan everyday.
Hot dog cart “newbie” Doug Fort, 37, has the geographical good fortune to live about 10 minutes from his spot at the corner of Laura Street and Independent Drive across from the Landing. Fort has high hopes for his “Monster Dogs” cart, with plans to possibly franchise his carts or move up to a lunch wagon.
“It’s a lot of work, but I try to have the cleanest cart with the freshest ingredients,” said Fort. “I want to create a brand, so when people see a Monster Dogs cart they know what kind of quality they can expect.”
On Bay Street, in front of the Duval County Courthouse, Peter Sipos, 40, also has bigger plans.
“I want to open a butcher shop somewhere in Jacksonville,” said Sipos, who moved down from New York City three years ago. “I like to cook and I make my own Slovakian sausages, which I sell at my stand and at my shop someday.”
Fort admitted he will be carrying Sipos’ sausages as well. The two also work together at different events and at night near the clubs Downtown. Fort has enjoyed the sense of community the vendors have.
“Sure we are in the same business, but the City has done a good job of separating us so there isn’t direct competition between carts,” said Fort. “We help each other out.”
For example, a problem with the line to his propane tank had Fort worried during his first 30 days in business, so he asked Peavler if she knew somebody that could fix his cart.
“She asked her husband to take a look at it and he fixed it on the spot,” said Fort. “It’s really nice to have that sense of community and it makes it enjoyable to be in this business.”
Vendor’s Permit Pricing
What you need to get one:
1. Register company with Florida Division of Corporations, $50.
2. Completed application for permit.
3. Health permit, required for all prepared food sales, Department of Hotel and Restaurants. (Vending must have yearly inspection.)
4. Proof of insurance, $200,000 in general liability insurance with the City of Jacksonville listed as additional insured.
5. Business Tax Receipt, $61.25
6. Photo of food vending cart.
7. Picture ID of applicant and all people who will work under permit.