There’s almost a gravitational pull from a hot dog cart that draws people towards it.
That goes without saying at the ball park where a hot dog is a must at some point while watching a game.
Crofton’s Rick Shay purchased a hot dog cart last year and set it up at Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo for the Nanaimo Night Owls’ first full baseball season in the West Coast League. It was mainly for fun and something to do after he retired, but the cart has since become well-known around town and serves a far greater purpose than just dishing out hot dogs and pretzels.
Shay concedes he’s already invested way more than he’s made from the cart, but lending support to charitable causes has made it all worthwhile.
For a change of pace, Shay will be serving up hot dogs at his Dogfather cart at prices you can’t refuse (or else!) at his Crofton home at 7993 Arthur St. Saturday, Feb. 11 as an alternative for those who don’t want to blow the budget on a treat for Valentine’s Day.
The cart will be open for business from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Saturday only. But daughter Jennifer is also offering a selection of cupcakes and mini cheesecakes for sale and wife April some flower arrangements in vases from Thursday through Valentine’s Day at their residence.
The business side of the cart has mainly been at the Night Owls games. That came about because Shay just happens to know the team’s general manager and managing partner, Jim Swanson.
Shay called Swanson after getting the hot dog cart early last year to see if there was an opportunity to utilize it at the Night Owls games.
“He said, ‘in fact, your timing is impeccable, we need a hot dog cart at the beer gardens,’” said Shay.
His cart comes with all the bells and whistles – a three-way fridge, hot water on demand, three sinks and five steam pots.
Unfortunately, the weather last year wasn’t that great for the large majority of the Night Owls’ home games in June that affected sales.
“It went pretty good, not as good as I hoped,” said Shay. “First year there were bugs to iron out – not only on my side, too, but theirs.”
But he’ll be heading back there this season beginning on May 31. And this time the majority of the team’s home games are in July when the weather’s more likely to be better and hopes that will make a difference.
Just being there, though, is enjoyable for Shay.
“I love baseball,” he said. “I get to sit out in the centre field beer gardens and watch a ball game. There’s nothing better.”
Shay has also been stationed at the Chemainus Industrial Park periodically at lunchtime for the convenience of workers in that area.
On the charitable side, the hot dog cart’s presence has been significant in fundraisers.
Shay set up a game between the Vancouver Island University prep baseball team and the Duncan Brewers (formerly Chemainus Brewers) and had the hot dog cart there as part of a fundraiser for a young fellow with cancer, Simon Baker, that raised $1,100 of the $5,800 total.
“That’s what I like to do,” said Shay.
He also did a fundraiser for the Cody Classic last September in Crofton, adding to the proceeds of a head shave by Stacey Cahoon.
“All together, she raised over $10,000,” Shay indicated.
On top of it all, he donated all the hot dogs during the Crofton Christmas parade that were available to everyone in attendance free of charge.
Shay orders brioche buns for his hot dogs from City Bakery and most of his other product from B&C Food Distributors in Victoria. He also sells pretzels, pop and potato chips.
“I don’t cheap out on the product,” said Shay. “I don’t make as much money, but I make up for it in volume.”
He uses real bacon bits, shredded cheese and all the goods. The grand slam with bacon, cheese and chili is by far his best seller, Shay concedes.
The clever name for the cart assures its notoriety.
“We were sitting here at the table and my kids were talking about what to name it,” Shay recalled. “One of the kids came up with it.”
Jesse and Jennifer Shay will have to sort out who gets full credit.
In the meantime, Jennifer’s assorted cupcakes, mini caramel and mini chocolate strawberry cheesecakes plus April’s flowers in glass vases will complement Rick’s hot dog day revolving around the Valentine’s Day weekend for those out and about and wanting to indulge.
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don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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