Dewey's Dogs on Planning Board Agenda

The owner of the Forked River House Plaza will go before the Planning Board on Monday seeking a variance to allow Dewey’s Dogs to plant itself on the plot.

The food truck has been stationed in a vacant lot for 12 years but in January, the Planning Board , where Dewey’s currently sits.

Anthony Geiger, who operates Dewey’s, has been working ever since to find a new location.

According to Mayor Gary Quinn, Geiger will no longer be able to do business in Lacey. The zoning laws in town have changed since Dewey’s started business. Business stands are no longer a permitted use in Lacey because they compete with local businesses that pay taxes and bills, Quinn said.

Geiger believed Dewey’s would not be threatened since his business was established before the new laws took effect, he said.

Geiger has since had to take a second job just in case Dewey’s does not have a new site before construction of the office building begins.

Several business owners in the plaza are concerned that parking will be limited if Dewey’s is permitted to operate in the parking lot.

“I want everyone to have business,” Lisa Nguyn of Happy Nails & Spa said. Although Nguyn does not know how business will be affected she believes parking will be impacted.

If Dewey’s receives a permit, it would be located directly across the street from Jersey Guys Hot Dogs and Fries, a new eatery offering Italian hot dogs, sausages and more.

Anthony Suppa of Jersey Guys Hot Dogs and Fries said he was neutral and did not feel threatened.

“I’m in business,” he said. “I wish [Dewey’s] the best of luck.”

The decision is up to the town now, Suppa said. Suppa used to own a hot dog truck as well but thinks businesses are better off renting space, he said.

“This is really the way to go today,” Suppa said. “Things can change overnight [for food trucks].”

The landlord of the Forked River House Plaza is also seeking to amend site hours and add a solar panel carport.