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Buddies Jonathan McWilliams and Shane Burris are opening Captain Franks Hotdog Emporium in downtown Danville. (Stephanie Mojica photo / February 9, 2013) |
Downtown Danville will have a locally-owned hot dog and ice cream eatery by March 1.
Captain¿Franks Hot Dog Emporium, located at 127 N. Fourth St. next to Subway and across from the Boyle County Courthouse, will feature not only plenty of pork and beef options but alternative choices for people who prefer not to eat meat.
Owners Jonathan McWilliams and Shane Burris, both 1995 Boyle County High School graduates and Danville residents, are life-long entrepreneurs ready for a new challenge. McWilliams also owns The Clothes Horse, a shop located at 115 N. Third St. downtown.
The business will be open until 7 p.m every day except Sunday.
“We’re going to try to be open all day and see how that works,” Burris said.
The duo will also offer customers a salad bar that enables people to prepare their own salads and pay by the pound. The offerings will be similar to major grocery stores such as Kroger, McWilliams said.
Both men have heard concerns from well-meaning people that the current world economic situation might not be the best time to start a new business, but the entrepreneurs are undaunted.
“Everyone likes to eat,” McWilliams said. “We’re in the heart of downtown and within walking distance to a lot of popular places.”
Captain Franks will acquire most of its hot dogs, bratwurst and Polish sausage from the locally-owned Marksbury Farm Market in Garrard County. The eatery also will offer Blue Bell ice cream, handmade milkshakes, tea, lemonade and a variety of Pepsi products.
While the owners expect plenty of carryout orders, they will offer indoor seating for about 45 people.
McWilliams and Burris have received plenty of online support via Facebook as well as encouragement from local officials such as Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership President Jody Lassiter. Lassiter last visited the entrepreneurs Thursday.
“Captain¿Franks is going to be a very attractive location that offers a new dining opportunity for downtown workers, shoppers and visitors,” Lassiter said in an email interview.
“Plus, it’s a great compliment to the downtown business environment that Jonathan McWilliams is investing in another business with the success of The Clothes Horse.”
For more information on Captain¿Franks Hot Dog Emporium, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Captain-Franks-Hotdog-Emporium/
