Junkyard Dogs Opens Under New Owners

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Robert Wood, top, and Trent Strader.

Photos by Linda Karn

(posted Jan 28)

As of January 28, Junkyard Dogs, located  at 5240 W. 16th Street, has officially opened again making its third transition into ownership with Speedway residents Trent and Kim Strader.

The store opening happened one week earlier than expected due to a phone call from Chase Bank, located across the street, to ask if they were open. Not wanting to turn down customers, they began placing hot dogs in the steamer to fill the order. They thought Chase's order would serve as a test run for next week; however, the couple continued to be surprised with more customers walking in the doors to inquire if they could be served. By the afternoon, they decided they were officially open for the week. The store hours are from 11am-7pm with Sundays closed.

The early opening was also good news to seven year-old Robert Wood. Wood has been waiting for a Chicago Dog ever since the closed sign was posted on the door last fall. Wood likes to eat the Chicago Dog while looking at the artwork that he painted on the ceiling tile last year. Wood painted the crucifixion. He explained the point of the picture is to "help us remember Jesus." Wood said he has three more ideas that he would like to paint on the ceiling tiles that deal with Jesus' resurrection, the tomb, and mini hearts. He is hoping that by painting the next three pictures that other ideas will pop into his head for future paintings.

Michael Galford of the northeast side of town purchased a Chili Cheese Dog. He said "I have never heard of it (referring to Junkyard Dogs.)" He said he was doing business at Chase Bank when he decided to stop in.

Jodie Garcia said she heard by word-of-mouth that Straders had opened, so she hurried over to see. She is excited about the business because her son, Michael, is one of the newly hired student workers.

Trent Strader said one of the reasons they decided to buy the business is due to his emotional attachment to Junkyard Dogs from the first owners, the Kinnicks. Strader donated his construction labor talents to convert the former convenient store into Junkyard Dogs in 2006. He wanted to give a free hand so his neighbor could start a business. Kim even worked at Junkyard Dogs under the ownership of the Kinnicks.

By the end of 2006, the Kinnicks sold the business to Jon Bray and Greg York. The partners expanded the hot dog menu to include an all you can eat food buffet plus purchasing Merritt's Pizza, but by the end of 2007, Junkyard Dogs was for sale again. The Straders decided they wanted to take a chance of owning and operating the business. They did not want to have regrets later in life if they passed up the opportunity, so they closed the deal December 17. "I have the biggest smile on my face," he said, in reference to buying and opening the business.

So in 2008, Junkyard is back with a streamline menu of the Chicago Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, Shoup's Pulled Pork Barbecue and tenderloins. French Fries, soup and salad, nachos and cheese, brownies, and sugar cookies are also part of the menu.

Strader stressed the quality is better with the Vienna Beef hot dog. He emphasized that a person has not had a Chicago Dog unless it's made of Vienna Beef. The Chicago Dog's signature accessories are a poppy seed bun, onions, lime relish, celery salt, sport pepper, tomato, and mustard.

The store's mission is more than selling dogs. It is to be a community store that offers a place for high school students to work and eat. Strader has already hired six students.

Strader is also inviting people to bring in pet photos to hang on the wall to complement the mural of the Junkyard Dog. Shadow Graphics is working on the project.