Village Hot Dogs Open for Business
By Joel Howard

Not too long ago, Norfolk’s hot dogs were sold from a converted recreational vehicle on the eastern edge of town. Today that’s all changed. Now it’s two wheels you’ll find and
it’s located much closer to the village green.
Village Hot Dogs is a real twist on a field of dreams. Having few viable outlets for their
children to earn money, learn about business, and build a work ethic, Sharon and Howie
Menard built their own business and gave their three children instant access to jobs.
Oldest siblings Celeste and Bryce take shifts, while youngest child Janelle serves as a
runner, retrieving more products and other items as needed.
Along with hot dogs and kielbasa, chips and drinks are available to complete a meal.
Conveniently located on route 44 at Shepard Road, they are poised to catch the attention
of most every passing vehicle and pedestrian. An oversized picnic table under a canopy
of trees completes the truest of dining out experiences.
“We’re playing with the hours as we see how things go,” Sharon said. “From 11:30 to
2:30 on weekend afternoons is how we’re doing things now. And soon we’ll be open
during the week.”
The family had to purchase a second refrigerator for the stand’s supplies. Their Mucke’s
brand products are produced in Hartford and purchased from a Litchfield business. The
second refrigerator means fewer trips to stock up and has freed up the family refrigerator
for their personal use.
Getting started wasn’t as hard as it might have been for other entrepreneurs. Being
situated along the retail strip of Route 44, their home’s lot is already zoned for food sales.
The only remaining obstacle was certification from Torrington Health District. “We had
to physically take the stand to them and get it inspected. Now we’re just open to surprise
inspections,” Sharon says.
As for business itself, it’s generally been good. Howie and Sharon say that Saturdays
have been brisk, while Sundays have been slower in comparison. To remedy the slow
Sunday sales, they’ve taken up an offer by a local baseball coach and experimented with
sales at the ball fields on Mountain Road. On a recent Sunday at the field, the father-
daughter team of Howie and Celeste worked. During the game, fans bought hot dogs in a
steady stream. One customer, Kaitlyn Cunningham, 4, made her special order wish clear.
“No bun,” she said.
As the game ended, business became hectic, with players ready to fill up on hot dogs.
Asked what she wanted to do with her earnings, Celeste said “I’m saving for a trip to
China in the summer of 2010.”
The other two Menard children have definite thoughts on their new careers. Middle child
Bryce says the work is “very fun and very quick.” And Janelle thinks the whole
enterprise is “gonna be good ‘cause people can drive by and stop without having to spend
a lot of money.”

Sharon Menard serves up hot dogs from her cart on Route 44.