Dewey's Dogs Continues Operation Despite Construction

Maura Mahoney made her way across dirt and rocks and past a bulldozer to get to Dewey’s Dogs this afternoon.

“What you have to go through to get a hot dog,” she said.

Construction for an office building recently began at the intersection of Route 9 and Lakeside, where Dewey’s has sat for more than 12 years. Today, despite the ditch to his left and trucks to his right, operator Anthony Geiger remains on site.

“I’m going to hangout here as long as I can,” Geiger previously said.

Geiger has been searching for a new lot since January 2011, when he was finally offered a spot on the property of the Forked River House Plaza, but the 

Since Dewey’s begun operation in Lacey Township, zoning laws have changed. Business stands are no longer a permitted use in town because they compete with local businesses that pay taxes and bills, Committeeman Gary Quinn previously said.

Quinn also cited that a year and a half ago, Route 9 in Bayville was lined with mobile food trucks, which caused complications with businesses, landlords the Board of Health and the police department.

Geiger had considered taking the issue to a lawyer but said it wasn’t worth the cost. Instead, he entered into an  a few months ago and

But property owner George Mackres said Geiger doesn’t have much longer. Mackres is currently trying to work out an agreement to have Dewey’s on site as long as possible but the upcoming Monday and Tuesday are out of the question since construction will be underway.

“He’s a nice guy. I hate to see him go,” Mackres said. “I’m going to keep him here as long as I can.”

Geiger said the construction crew gave him permission to temporarily stay on site.

“I don’t want any problems or anyone getting hurt,” Mackres said of Dewey’s operating on the site.

Geiger’s store is currently being set up, he said.

“I come here all the time,” Mahoney said. “They’re good hot dogs.”

Mahoney said she’s upset over the situation Geiger’s in. “But they’re building everywhere,” she said.

“Dewey’s is like an institution here. I’ve been bringing the kids here since they could eat hotdogs,” Gregg Kashuck said as his son planted a folding chair in the dirt and ate his hot dog. He added that it’s “garbage” that Dewey’s Dogs cannot remain as a food truck in Lacey.

“This is just tradition. There’s nothing like this,” he said.