By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- A new hot dog stand opened at Riverfront Park on Wednesday, making it the park's first and only vendor.
Now that food is available at the popular downtown destination, it makes it possible to spend an entire day at the park without ever leaving.
Owned and operated by The Stein and Vine, the Chicago-style hot dog stand is located right along the main entrance of the park, behind the amphitheater. It can be found in the park Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and also at the summer concert series on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.
Chris Lynch, who co-owns the Stein and Vine with his wife, Tracy, decided to open the stand to bring some food opportunities into the bustling park.
After receiving several inquiries about the possibility of vending in the park, City Clerk Ruth Harte said the City of Niles decided to enact a park vending ordinance that required vendors to be approved by the city. In addition to Riverfront Park, the approval covers Eastside, Southside, Plym and Island Parks.
Harte said this hot dog stand is the first and only vendor to be approved since the ordinance went into effect in August 2003.
The cart is manned by Lynch's two sons, Kevin, 18, and Dan, 15, who said business was fairly steady on their first day, but not overwhelming as of yet.
Being the only meal choice within park boundaries, the brothers do expect the hot dogs to catch on.
By noon on their second day, they had already sold six dogs.
The stand offers all-beef Vienna hot dogs served on a poppy seed bun with all of the trimmings, which include a pickle slice, diced onions, fancy relish, fresh tomatoes, mustard, celery salt and sport peppers.
Prices are $2 for a dog and $3 to include a bag of chips and a drink.
For those in a hurry, Lynch said the location along the main entrance is conducive for making drive-up orders.
The Chicago-style hot dogs are also now available at The Stein and Vine.
The hot dog stand will be at Riverfront Park throughout the summer and into the fall.