By Thomas Smith

After working as a personal support worker for eight years, Kevin Morgan knew that he loved working with people.

Since retiring three weeks ago, he is spry and ready for business at his hotdog cart, located at 12340 Highway 35 in Minden. The cart is located in the same lot as the Royal LePage Lakes of Haliburton building.

The vanLieshouts, owners of the LePage property have been fully supportive of the business on their property. While setting his business up, he was offered a fenced area to use as storage. Working with vanLieshout, the two decided that he could set up a shed. Morgan hopes that the cart will be mutually beneficial for both businesses. It will encourage customers to check out the Royal LePage office while stopping for a hotdog and vice versa.

Kev’s Dogs and Sausages has been two years in the making. After finalizing the paperwork, securing a source of supplies, and nailing down the location for his cart, he opened to a ravenous crowd on Wednesday, June 4.

Morgan was initially inspired by Ben Wilson, author of Hot Dogs Saved My Life. Wilson, a former furniture salesman, changed gears to vending hotdogs in an effort to escape poverty. While working as a mover in Yorkville, Morgan frequently visited a hotdog vendor who was influential in showing him the connection that can develop between hotdog vendor and customer.

With a love for barbecuing, Morgan knew that grilling sausages and hotdogs would be his calling. With good music and a great atmosphere, customers are encouraged to hang out around the cart, chat, and even listen to one of his many life stories. Morgan will also have a guestbook for visitors to sign, provide comments, and let him know where customers are travelling from.

“I did not want a trailer because you can’t see anyone,” said Morgan. “It has got to be one on one and face to face”

With his brother living in Moore Falls, Morgan is no stranger to Haliburton County. Like his logo suggests, Morgan wants to foster a laid-back atmosphere, evoking the sense of being on vacation. You can sit back, go fishing in the area, and return for a steaming hotdog on a fresh bun.

“Tourists, when they are coming from somewhere like Toronto, they will be stopping at the Beer Store or Foodland while on their way to the lake. They don’t have time to be making dinner,” said Morgan. “So grab a dog, unload the car, and you’re on your way.”

Morgan is committed to keeping prices affordable for families. At eight dollars per hotdog, a family of four can have a decent take-out meal for less than the price of McDonalds.

A lover of toppings, Morgan has around 20 toppings available for hotdogs and sausages. The cornucopia of toppings includes things like olives, sauerkraut, celery salt, and hot sauces.

Morgan says that the benefits of serving hotdogs and sausages is the speed in which they can be served. Prepared ahead of time, the products can be grilled to be warmed up and marked with criss-cross grill marks, blistered to perfection. These grill marks are perfect to hold all the toppings you desire.

While the toppings are diverse, Morgan keeps his menu simple. Hotdogs, sausages, butter tarts, and drinks are the four things that he sells. Simple, easy, and nothing but the highest quality sausages, hotdogs, and buns for his customers.

The sausages, butter tarts, and buns he serves are all sourced from businesses based in Kawartha Lakes, keeping his purchasing local.

Wearing his own uniform, Morgan is proud to represent his business in its entirety and has no plans in hiring employees.

Located along Highway 35, he is even willing to run a hotdog up to the big trucks if they stop for him.

With enough interest, Morgan hopes to sell his own branded merchandise. With words of encouragement from surrounding businesses such as Andrew Schroeder from The Mason Jar, Morgan says Minden already feels like a second home.

“That’s what I find Minden is, is laid back,” said Morgan.

Morgan hopes that his first year will be a prosperous one. Open until Nov. 1, he hopes to become a landmark for visitors travelling through the county along Highway 35.

Kev’s Dogs and Sausages will be open Wednesdays through Mondays, closing on Tuesdays in order to replenish his fresh stock.