Hot Dog Cart News reader Jeff Williams sent me these pictures of street food vendors from the early 1940’s. I think they are fascinating. Thanks Jeff – you are awesome!
A portable soft drink and frankfurter stand in New York City on October 1, 1942
As an entrepreneur, I have been involved in many other businesses besides food vending – as I’m sure most of you have been as well. When ever I get involved in a business I like to get a feel for the history behind it.
First, I’m a history and nostalgia buff. I just like (love) old stuff. I’m one of those guys that thinks the old days were better – whether they really were or not 😉
Second, knowing your business’s history can give you a feel for business cycles, trends, and marketing ideas that you can revive and use today. Check out the graphics on the hot dog cart umbrella above for example. Very cool.
Hot sweet potatoes. NYC on October 4, 1942
A call for photos.
HCDN readers – Please email me more pics like these and I’ll add them to this article over time. They can be from any time period up to the late 60’s, early 70’s.
-Steve
WOW! I am really appreciating these two photos…printing them to frame and hang in my study!
Those pics are classic! Guess these folks didn’t have to spend months jumping thru the Health Department rules!
Steve could not agree more with you.Nostalgia is great,and i feel growing up back then had to be great,because it was more family based.
Vic – how many spiders do you think are in that stack of firewood?
Jeff,
I’m with you buddy.
-Steve
Very Very good point Vic never even thought of that………………..
Love the pics! Can you really do well in the winter
slingin hot dogs? this has been a concern of mine. since I am still working on trying to find money to start up. Thank you Steve and everyone for you information and support.
All bets off during the Great Depression and the start of World War II…people had to do what they needed to do to stay alive and support their families…it must of been a wild ride during those years….. Great pics! My grandfather sold fruits and vegetables from a pickup truck during those times and the family grew it to a supermarket chain and wholesale food distributorship in CT….never give up!
What concerns me is that our(!?!) governmemt regulatory agencies have expanded so much that when the economy collapses we will not even have the power to be a roadside vendor! Just last week a lady tried to have me arrested because she thinks hot dog carts are a blight on the community. I was set up at my new account on private property. It’s a sign of things to come, neighbor against neighbor. Sorry for being a downer. Steve, we are so happy to have found this community that you have created!
Mr. Tiki
AS A CHILD IN N.Y. CITY, I REMEMBER VENDERS TRYING TO SELL HOT POTATOES, CHESTNUTS, AND OF COURSE THE SABRETT HOT DOG,PRETZELS. WHAT A GREAT FEELING TO GO BACK.
But those people were REAL Americans with heart and gumption and a backbone. Today most (not us guys, of course) are soft and have no survival instinct. If they can’t sit in front of their flat screen TV, drinking a beer in the perfect temp. setting they fall apart. That is why this country has seen the best years it ever will see and there’s no going back! Maybe it is a better idea to take a hot dog carrt “global”.
Sidney,
Winter is great for hot dog sales. If you can stand the cold you will sell more hot dogs in cold weather than in hot weather. When temps go above 90 my sales go down. As soon as cool weather returns they go back up.
-Steve
Tiki,
Whenever you are involved in a money making venture, whether it’s hot dogs or any other business, you will face adversity of one kind or another. You will also find a way to overcome it. That is what makes us entrepreneurs.
-Steve
hmmm….hot sweet potatoes…..
They had color film in the 40’s?
I love these old Photos..
My mission statement!
I believe in America
I believe in free enterprise
Tree lined streets with kids selling lemonade
Mom and P0p Stores where they know your name
Where dreaming and working hard payoff
I am creating one job at a time
I am taking back America one Hot Dog at a time
Brought to you by Wok The Dog Gourmet American Hot Dogs.
This statement is on my business cards and will be on my card.
i did have a cold weather question, and that is how do you keep your buns that arent in the steamer from freezing in cold weather?
Steve you are a wussy for not doggin’ in the cold. Just sayin’
beau – Don’t “sit down and rest” 😉
All (Sidney),
I talked to a guy who owns a scooter store and I was telling him I go to school for business on a Entrepreneur track. He asked what types of things I wanted to open one thing I said was a hot dog cart and he chuckled and said that’s not really a business. I was slightly offended but I guess its one of those things you have to prove.
So I admire your mission statement, I stand beside you
Beau,
When I slung dogs last winter, I rotated my buns from the storage bin to the area under the burners on the cart to the steamer. Also, if your vehicle is close, place them in the front and turn on the heater periodically to keep them warm. I live just outside of Chicago and it gets quite brisk here. Mr. Tiki
Steve,
Yes you are right about adversity. I was not forced to close down last Friday by the police since all my paper work was in order. The manager invited me back to cater the company monthly meeting. I met the regional manager and was invited to set up at any of their stores. I was saddened by the complaint from the older lady. But, you can’t let that stop you and good did come of it…. I just paused to send up a prayer for her.
I like Sidney’s mission statement. Mr. Tiki
Boy am I a blabber typer today. When I lived in Turkey (late sixtees early seventies) there were all types of vendors. There were water vnders who carried large glass jugs of water on horse drawn carts to guys balancing a board on their head selling smita’s (pretzels) stacked high on the board. If they dropped one, they would chace it down wipe it on their pants and keep on selling; shouting “Smita! Smita!” Mr. Tiki
Chris,
Wussie? Yeah I guess so. But I’m a 6’1″ 240 lb wussie. Just sayin’ 😉
-Steve
Blab on Tiki!
John,
They had color film but it was very expensive. That’s why you don’t see many color photos from that time period.
Sidney – I’m diggin’ your mission statement too!
-Steve
Hey Steve-I don’t think the guy selling sweet potatoes followed your EZ-Cart plans as close as he should have.
Jerry
Thank you Steve and Lena.
Mr. Tiki, Hang in There! In NH we call them “G.A.L.s” (as in Get-A-Lifers!) There is a segment of our population that can’t be happy if they aren’t imposing their will and opinions on others! I have hundreds of customers that LOVE my offerings. In 6 years I have had exactly ZERO, customers complain. That does’t stop the “G.A.L.s” from complaining to the officials for whatever is their latest attempt to justify their existence and attempt to impose their misguided effort at self-importance, on others. It is very sad, and I too pray for their souls. I tell the legions of customers who ask about these “G.A.L.s” and why they are embarrassing themselves in front of the town, its officials (and local TV cameras!.) My standard answer is always the same “they sure make the rest of us folk’ look good!” Our motto in NH is on our License Plates…”Live Free or Die.” Don’t let ’em get u down!
great site,lots of great advice,keep it coming,thanks mike r
i have a question steve what do claim for taxs at the end of the year legely