Hot dogs, owners bringing folks in PROPOSAL DREW RAVE REVIEWS
"World's Best" hot dogs getting a new home if rezoning is approved
Date published: 1/28/2008
By DAN TELVOCK
The wood floors are scuffed bare from decades of foot traffic and the building's foundation is cracked and crumbling.
It's hard to believe the "World's Best" hot dogs are made in this place called Powell's Friendly Market at the corner of Lafayette Boulevard and Harrison Road in Spotsylvania County.
"This building was old when I came here 49 years ago," said 82-year-old David Osborne, who lives behind the store.
The store, which many people call an eyesore, will change in appearance if the Patel family gets approval to redevelop the site.
But rest assured, the hot dogs are staying put.
For right now, though, if you look past the dilapidated building and walk inside, you'll find yourself in the middle of a localized "Cheers," where everybody knows your name.
The din of cash registers echo inside, with the smell of chili and onions permeating the aisles.
The store's large, white metal sign with a cartoon hot dog proclaiming they are the best is an icon in Spotsylvania. A customer can spend as little as 99 cents or up to $1.59 for a chili-cheese dog. The store is also tops in the region and 22nd in the state for lottery ticket sales.
The strong base of customers comes for the family atmosphere and swears by the food. Whether you have home-cooked chili--which employee Gloria Howard says is "the real stuff, not that canned soybean stuff"--splattered on your dog or a juicy half-smoke, it's all good.
"I don't know what it is, but these hot dogs don't taste like anything else," said Elaine Waller, a customer of 20 years. She had two of her sons with her on a recent day, and bought seven hot dogs.
David Hughey, who has been buying hot dogs with mustard, relish and onions here for 20 years, said the atmosphere resembles a local barber shop.
"The people are special here," he said. "These are the friendliest owners. They know just about everyone by name."
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The Spotsylvania Planning Commission gave the Patel family's rezoning request glowing reviews at a meeting this month. Supervisors and planning commissioners have long talked about redeveloping the blighted U.S. 1/Lafayette Boulevard corridor.
The Patel family is asking to rezone a small area of residential land to commercial to allow for a one-story development of about 10,000 square feet. Powell's Friendly Market will expand its offerings and types of food in a new 2,000-square-foot store. They will rent out the rest.
The Patels plan a new buffer between the few homes that line Harrison Road before the Wawa station. They also will improve ingress/egress, improve stormwater facilities, install sidewalks and a bike rack to make the intersection walkable and use dark-sky lighting technology. Two homes adjacent to the store will be razed for the expansion and a new parking lot.
Supervisors haven't yet considered the rezoning and may not have a public hearing until February. If they do approve it, the Patels hope to have the new store opened in late 2009.
This would be the second property on Lafayette Boulevard that the Patels have redeveloped. They razed a home at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard for a sub and sandwich shop that is opening soon.
--Dan Telvock |
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Date published: 1/28/2008
Most recent reader comments:
back in time
(posted by
returninghome
, Jan. 28, 2008 6:59 pm)  
wow brings back memories to me.. i remember when it used to be named something else an the powells bought it, i lived in the subdivison across from it * in late 70s bought my first beer there lol but the hot dogs then were umm eww lol ..thats not what they were famous for till later but the place reminds me of home things i remember
Hot dog!
(posted by
upNorth
, Jan. 28, 2008 8:59 am)  
QUOTE "They razed a home at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard for a sub and sandwich shop that is opening soon". Wouldn't it be wise to sell the "World's Best" hot dogs there also.
They are good!!
(posted by
DIXIEGIRL
, Jan. 28, 2008 8:43 am)  
If you have never had one, you need to try one. My husband's favorite is with ketchup and cole slaw. they also have a good Bar-b-Que.
I've always wondered about those dogs
(posted by
f4td4ddy
, Jan. 28, 2008 7:35 am)  
..and now I will go there to taste them. It looks like the special ingredient is "love." And the price looks right as well. I now know what I'm going to spend my big fat tax rebate cheque on!
Another Toothpick
(posted by
werstenz
, Jan. 28, 2008 6:20 am)  
Money over history or atmosphere. Good bye small town, I am sure all appeal for those dogs will falter in a "New improved fancy and High Rent store)
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