- April 24, 2024
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There’s nothing the Careys love more than a challenge.
Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
The Dog Hut, which has sat across from the ocean on A1A for 12 years, is getting some long overdue TLC thanks to Ormond Beach residents Sean and Meghan Carey.
Since taking over the first week of March, the Careys have already almost tripled sales compared to the previous owners.
“The guy who used to own this, his wife owns the salon next door,” Sean said. “She cuts my hair. When I was getting my hair cut she asked if I knew anyone who would want to buy a hot dog stand. I said ‘We will.’”
“We simplified a lot,” Meghan, who is described by her husband as a corporate hustler, said. “We have a lot of goals. Right now everything is basically lunch. We want to expand that to dinner and possibly late night, maybe delivery. We’d love to do parties and catering events.”
The Careys have increased traffic in their store by promotions such as buying lunch for the fireman, the police and the sheriff’s office every Monday.
Of their new speciality hot dogs, Meghan said the Belly Buster is one of the more popular ones because of its name and size. When they aren’t cooking up hot dogs, the Careys are working their two other businesses including an athletes and entertainers concierge service and a local painting company. They also take care of their three kids Leelle, 11, Leyton, 6, and Dakota, 15.
So the word busy is an understatement.
“The Dog Hut actually gets us working together,” Meghan said. “The biggest obstacle right now is just letting people know we’re out here. We’re new owners, we have new hours and we have a new menu.”
Originally from Pittsburg, Sean and Meghan met in high school. The reconnected and were married a year ago.
“She gave up everything,” Sean said with a smile. “The house, a $120,000 a year job, a beautiful house for some hot dogs. In a round about way.”
The Dog Hut is opened 11 a.m., to 4 p.m., on Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m., to 6 p.m., on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m., to whenever the demands stop on Sunday.
Call 441-4344.
Dog Hut's 'Doggy Styles'
