Kevin Kittredge
is The Roanoke Times' What's on Your Mind columnist. whatsonyourmind
@roanoke.com
777-6476

What's on Your Mind?

Recent columns

• Roanoke says it does not trash recyclables
• : Plans for former library still up in the air
• 17-year cicadas appearing in several counties in region
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Previous What's On Your Mind columnists

• Bridget Bradburn
• Tom Angleberger

Q: For about two years, there was a hotdog vendor - I think his name was John -- who had a cart set up along the Roanoke River Greenway, just across from the hospital. He disappeared about June 1. He had, by far, the best dogs in Roanoke -- Coney dogs, Chicago dogs, Charleston dogs, kraut dogs. What happened to that danged hot dog vendor? I miss him, and especially his hotdogs!

Robert Blankenbaker

Roanoke

A: John Keenum of Good Dog Vending attracted a lot of attention in 2010 with his hotdog stand near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital -- he was the subject of a Dan Casey profile in The Roanoke Times that August -- but, alas, not enough business. He did not renew his vendor permit this year, according to Roanoke Planning Director Tom Carr.

We caught up with Keenum recently by telephone, and he said he was unable to make a living selling his $3 dogs at that location.

"I quit last June," confirmed Keenum, who started the stand after being laid off from his job as an electrical technician. "I couldn't make any money there." Plus, "it was hard work out there in the heat," he said.

Keenum was hoping to move his cart downtown, to the vicinity of Elmwood Park, but he was unable to get permission from the city to do so, he said. "I know I could make some money downtown."

He has since found another job, and has no immediate plans to go back into the hotdog business. On the other hand, "I still have the cart," he said. "Who knows?"

Furry memories

After seeing our "What's on Your Mind?" column about the old Royal Fur Shop on South Jefferson Street a couple of weeks ago, Susan Bulbin of Roanoke told us about her grandfather's shop, Samuel Spigel Inc., which opened on Campbell Avenue in 1920.

"It was the first fur and high-fashion women's specialty store in Roanoke," she said.

The store moved to South Jefferson Street in 1929. Susan's parents, Maxine and Frederick Bulbin, began working there in the 1940s. Susan got involved in 1979, she said, and finally closed the store in 1991. Local furrier Henri Kessler "worked for my grandfather until he opened his own business," she said.

Thanks for the memories, Susan.

Confession time: As callers to the "What's on Your Mind" telephone line in recent months probably already know, I'm way behind in answering my phone messages. I do try, but they pile up. If you really need to get in touch with me right away, send an email to whatsonyourmind@roanoke.com.

Have a question? An answer? Call Kevin Kittredge at 777-6476 or send an email to whatsonyourmind@roanoke.com. Don't forget to provide your full name, its proper spelling and your hometown.

Look for Kevin Kittredge's column on Mondays.