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Some Chicagoans are uneasy about a hot dog stand that will be opening at the corner of Jackson and Western mid-next month. But it's not because the eatery will employ ex-offenders. It's the name that has some people riled up: Felony Franks.
The concept was developed three years ago by Jim Andrews, who started hiring ex-offenders at his West Loop paper company and was pleased with the work they did. He thought Felony Franks would be a catchy name for a hot dog establishment and started pursuing locations on the North and South Side, before settling on the current West Side location for the business.
Residents who live near the stand say they applaud Andrews for hiring ex-offenders and bringing business to the area, but say they worry the name could offend members of the community. Second Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti also voiced his concerns that the name was in bad taste, pointing out the city's West Side has major crime problems and that the name could glorify crime.
But Andrews, who hopes to make Felony Franks a chain with 40 locations throughout Chicago, says the name is not meant to be offensive. Rather, he said, he hopes the name will help to erase some of the stigma associated with being a former convict.
“I’m trying to take a negative and turn it into a positive,” Andrews told WBBM.
The sign outside the new eatery displays a hot dog dressed in stripes, behind bars, with a ball and chain attached to it. Slogans "Food so good it's criminal" and "Home of the Misdemeanor Weiner" are scrawled on the exterior wall and the menu includes crime-themed items such as the "burglar beef" and "chain gang chili dog."
Andrews estimates five to seven ex-offenders will staff the restaurant, and plans to allocate half of the profits to employees and the other half to Rescue Foundation, his nonprofit to help ex-offenders. Andrews and his wife are in the process of gathering petitions from neighbors near the eatery to see if they find the name offensive. [Chicago Journal via Gapers Block, Daily Herald, WBBM]
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So they're happy he's doing what he's doing but are bothered by the fact he's doing it with a sense of humor?
Perhaps just paint the place gray and call it "CALORIE DISTRIBUTION STATION #0001010"
The man is a mensch and these people need to worry about real problems not clever hot dog names.
I'm more offended by the shittery that is "Rockstar Dogs"
I think that recidivism rates are higher than they need to be because it's terribly difficult for ex-felons to find steady employment, so I commend Jim Andrews. He can call his hot dog stand whatever he wants.
That idiot 2nd Ward Alderman Fioretti said he was going to prevent the place from having its sign hang over the sidewalk.
The sign frame is currently blank, apparently the previous business's name has been removed, but the frame remains.
When a sign hangs over the sidewalk it needs a permit from the city.
That idiot Fioretti needs to reread the 1st Amendment!
If he prevents Felony Franks from getting its sign permit based on its name, & he's said that's why he's going to prevent the sign permit, he & the city are violating Felony Franks 1st Amendment rights & make no mistake about it, businesses also have 1st Amendment rights.
Jim Andrews will then get very wealthy off of the taxpayers of Chicago because of one pinhead, moron of an alderman that amazingly has also been a lawyer for 30 years!
Andrews is doing the community, and the neighborhood, a great service. From a pragmatic perspective, Felony Franks will be located a quarter mile any school; that concern is unfounded and alarmist.
Regarding the sign: The business, and specifically the sign, send a positive message: even if you are a felon, you can get a job, get ahead and live a life outside the criminal element.
In the past, we lived in true communities. When Billy or Barbie down the street committed a crime and was convicted, everyone knew, including the neighborhood children. And that was a lesson learned - don't do bad things, you will get caught, you will go to jail. Nowadays we sugar coat everything, we draw a veil of obscurity over the bad, we turn our backs and "wish it away". Putting Felony Franks front and center is a learning lesson for all.
Support Felony Franks, and write to Fioretti to show your support!
Not sure if anyone lives in the neighborhood, but why does anyone want to have a name like that in their area. I support the alderman, because why is this man glorifying criminal activities. Jim Andrews has stated, he has seen drug deals near him, but does not call the police. What is he offering the community?
If anyone checks the Near West Side, they will understand that this area has the mmany programs for criminal offenders. Look at St. Leonard's House in the area. http://data.cmap.illinois.gov/chicagoareahousing.org//Org.asp?audv=v&Id=427
This place is also located next to St. Stephen's housing. It is also on Jackson and Western. The people who are for this name, should take a trip there. I think it is an eye opening experience.
Why isn't this person opening this in the West Loop or Lincoln Park?
Every hot dog place that has opened in the area, has failed in a year. Good Luck with just staying open. Also the people who are supporting the name. I recommend coming to the neighborhood, because I don't think you'll actually buy anything.
I fully support the 2nd Ward alderman!
Not sure if anyone lives in the neighborhood, but why does anyone want to have a name like that in their area. I support the alderman, because why is this man glorifying criminal activities. Jim Andrews has stated, he has seen drug deals near him, but does not call the police. What is he offering the community?
If anyone checks the Near West Side, they will understand that this area has the mmany programs for criminal offenders. Look at St. Leonard's House in the area. http://data.cmap.illinois.gov/chicagoareahousing.org//Org.asp?audv=v&Id=427
This place is also located next to St. Stephen's housing. It is also on Jackson and Western. The people who are for this name, should take a trip there. I think it is an eye opening experience.
Why isn't this person opening this in the West Loop or Lincoln Park?
Every hot dog place that has opened in the area, has failed in a year. Good Luck with just staying open. Also the people who are supporting the name. I recommend coming to the neighborhood, because I don't think you'll actually buy anything.
I fully support the 2nd Ward alderman!
I smell an aldermanic plant here.
Not sure if anyone lives in the neighborhood, but why does anyone want to have a name like that in their area.
Because it's kitschy and humorous. You're telling me that people in neighborhoods with elevated crime rates don't have senses of humor like anyone else? I believe you're incorrect.
I support the alderman, because why is this man glorifying criminal activities.
By hiring felons and giving them a chance to rebuild their lives after paying their debt to society? Yes, clearly he is glorifying crime.
Jim Andrews has stated, he has seen drug deals near him, but does not call the police. What is he offering the community?
That's a complete lie and slander. Have any facts there you plant?
If anyone checks the Near West Side, they will understand that this area has the mmany programs for criminal offenders. Look at St. Leonard's House in the area.
Programs are not jobs. Andrews is offering jobs to ex-cons and it works. Steady employment for a felon reduces recidivism
This place is also located next to St. Stephen's housing. It is also on Jackson and Western. The people who are for this name, should take a trip there.
I plan to, to buy some hot dogs and hopefully shake Mr. Andrews hand.
I think it is an eye opening experience.
Yes, it's a business opening in a disadvantaged and crime-addled area. That's very eye opening.
Why isn't this person opening this in the West Loop or Lincoln Park?
Because he's trying to help a community in need? So only people in wealthy areas of the city can get humor?
Every hot dog place that has opened in the area, has failed in a year.
Thank you for your anecdotal and completely unsubstantiated statement. Maybe we should just bulldoze the whole area and start over?
Good Luck with just staying open.
Especially with a prick Alderman making your life difficult...oh.
Also the people who are supporting the name. I recommend coming to the neighborhood, because I don't think you'll actually buy anything.
Again, I plan on going there SPECIFICALLY to support this business. Also, I like a good Chicago Style Hot Dog.
I fully support the 2nd Ward alderman!
Yay for being against small business and ethical practices! Yay!
I agree with the above commenters who support the name. It's a great service, a fun idea, and an effective way to draw attention to the business.
This guy deserves praise, not criticism. I just might try that Misdemeanor Weiner---but does that mean it's a small hot dog?
For the people who support the name, why don't we try to have a Felony Franks in your area? It is quite easy. Have a petition circulated around your area and see what your neighbors say. There should be enough money in the area to help start a Felony Franks.
Jess, wow, you have a lot of time on your hands. No, I am not a spy. Yet, it seems you do not live in the neighborhood. If you did, I figure you’d think differently. I am just a concerned resident, who actually lives three blocks from Felony Franks. So I will now answer your questions.
I smell an aldermanic plant here.
Not sure if anyone lives in the neighborhood, but why does anyone want to have a name like that in their area.
Because it's kitschy and humorous. You're telling me that people in neighborhoods with elevated crime rates don't have senses of humor like anyone else? I believe you're incorrect.
No, because it’s glorifying crime!
I support the alderman, because why is this man glorifying criminal activities.
By hiring felons and giving them a chance to rebuild their lives after paying their debt to society? Yes, clearly he is glorifying crime.
No, it’s called a second chance. Everyone deserves one to make their life right. It is harder when you’re a criminal.
Jim Andrews has stated, he has seen drug deals near him, but does not call the police. What is he offering the community?
That's a complete lie and slander. Have any facts there you plant?
The facts are, residents have called, and one resident emailed and stated,” > He told me that he has seen drug deals happen near St stephens. I asked
> if he a called the police. He said no. I told him that it's apparent
that he
> doesn't care about fixing our community.
If anyone checks the Near West Side, they will understand that this area has the mmany programs for criminal offenders. Look at St. Leonard's House in the area.
Programs are not jobs. Andrews is offering jobs to ex-cons and it works. Steady employment for a felon reduces recidivism
The Near West Side does not have to be the only area, why doesn’t Lincoln Park and West Loop have opportunities such as this. If they do, can you please let me know where they are?
This place is also located next to St. Stephen's housing. It is also on Jackson and Western. The people who are for this name, should take a trip there.
I plan to, to buy some hot dogs and hopefully shake Mr. Andrews hand.
I hope you do plan on coming down and shaking Mr. Andrews hand. Good luck!
I think it is an eye opening experience.
Yes, it's a business opening in a disadvantaged and crime-addled area. That's very eye opening.
Wow, so you state that yes, this is a crime-addled area. Why do we need more negative influences?
Why isn't this person opening this in the West Loop or Lincoln Park?
Because he's trying to help a community in need? So only people in wealthy areas of the city can get humor?
But he’s not helping a community in need. Why does the community need a hot dog place, when there isn’t a grocery store for miles? Because it's a hot dog place, the residents deserve anything? The area is not a dumping ground.
Every hot dog place that has opened in the area, has failed in a year.
Thank you for your anecdotal and completely unsubstantiated statement. Maybe we should just bulldoze the whole area and start over?
No, I’m stating the truth. There have been 3 different hot dog places there in the last 5 years. I know, because I live in the area. Each has closed.
Good Luck with just staying open.
Especially with a prick Alderman making your life difficult...oh.
That’s why we all love blogs. I mean, everyone can say whatever they’d like, but who cares.
Also the people who are supporting the name. I recommend coming to the neighborhood, because I don't think you'll actually buy anything.
Again, I plan on going there SPECIFICALLY to support this business. Also, I like a good Chicago Style Hot Dog.
Oh, yes, he wants to buy the area next door, and open a restaurant. I bet you’d like to eat at Pedophile Pizza, wouldn’t you?
I fully support the 2nd Ward alderman!
Yay for being against small business and ethical practices! Yay!
No, there are plenty of small businesses in the area that do support the community. In other words, you know nothing about the area, and just continue to talk trash.
So yes, come from where ever you are located, and stop by. We need a postitive influences in the neighborhood, not negative, and that’s what we are getting. Andrews is a person who does not want to help the community, and does not care. The all might dollar will save his place. Giving a few felons jobs in the area is great, but the area needs more jobs period.
Good luck and let me know any information you have, I volunteer in the community, so anything information would be helpful to the residents.
I think the name is in poor taste (it objectifies people that aren't really in a position to do or say anything about their objectification). I hope this doesn't turn into a cultural battle about semantics.
I'd love to have a Felony Franks in my neighborhood. Love me a good hot dog, and as someone who has spent quite a bit of time in and out of the food service industry, I know it can be a good way to get a decent job. Lots of life lessons to be learned there.
Work is humanizing, and it's important to people, their sense of belonging and self-worth and the community as a whole. I'm all for people that want to work being able to work.
That's my issue with it - I'm afraid the "Felony Franks" moniker will just draw hipster voyeurs who want to see a real! live! criminal! serve them a hot dog.
Beyond the name, though, this guy is doing a great service. I would just be cooler with it if he wasn't making it _such_ a big deal that he's hiring ex-offenders. There are other businesses who simply make it part of their practice, which is how it should be.
There should be enough money in the area to help start a Felony Franks.
Say forest, I don't see any trees.
Jess, wow, you have a lot of time on your hands. No, I am not a spy.
Never said spy, plant. One of these aldercreeps little minions. Todd Stodger has used them, so has Bernie Stone.
Yet, it seems you do not live in the neighborhood. If you did, I figure you’d think differently.
I lived near Damen and Jackson for 3 years about 5 years ago. My first place in the city. Please assume all you like.
No, because it’s glorifying crime!
Then someone needs to boycott McDonalds. The Hamburgler has corrupted generations of children!
This notion that a hot dog stand is going to glorify crime is simply nonsense.
I support the alderman, because why is this man glorifying criminal activities.
Now you're just slandering Mr. Andrews, a men helping ex-cons with steady work. It's a joke, a gag and a play on words. Lighten up.
The facts are, residents have called, and one resident emailed and stated,” > He told me that he has seen drug deals happen near St stephens. I asked
> if he a called the police. He said no. I told him that it's apparent
that he
> doesn't care about fixing our community.
You know what "hearsay" is? Because that's exactly what you just wrote.
Someone e-mailed what they heard a guy say, something so ridiculously out of character it's nearly criminal. You're a damn liar.
The Near West Side does not have to be the only area, why doesn’t Lincoln Park and West Loop have opportunities such as this. If they do, can you please let me know where they are?
*Sigh* You really don't get this do you, you plant? Andrews is opening a business, in a recession, in an area that desperately needs another business that will employ local ex-cons in their area. That improves that area. It's not about lincoln park, or the west look or andersonville, it'a about improving that area.
Wow, so you state that yes, this is a crime-addled area. Why do we need more negative influences?
No, you need more churches and abandoned buildings. Not business focued on helping the ex-cons.
Why isn't this person opening this in the West Loop or Lincoln Park?
Because he hates you. He hates you so much he wants to open a business to make you suffer.
But he’s not helping a community in need. Why does the community need a hot dog place, when there isn’t a grocery store for miles?
Finally! A point I agree with. Stopped clocks are right twice a day. But making things tough on a small business is not making things easier for a Jewel or Dominicks to open.
Oh, yes, he wants to buy the area next door, and open a restaurant. I bet you’d like to eat at Pedophile Pizza, wouldn’t you?
And now we're talking pedophiles. Awww, did you run out of ideas with just that one good one? Sad little plant. Crawl back to the alderman for hugs and love.
No, there are plenty of small businesses in the area that do support the community.
I.E. do what the Alderman wants. The Alderman is NOT the community.
In other words, you know nothing about the area, and just continue to talk trash.
Yeah, cause I only lived there for years and worked as a community educational coordinator for CPS doing home visits and family outreach. I know nothing. I must live in a castle in Lincoln Park.
Andrews is a person who does not want to help the community, and does not care.
You're attacking someone who is employing men who desperately need jobs in a bad economy. Giving ex-cons a second chance. You're beneath contempt plant.
The all might dollar will save his place. Giving a few felons jobs in the area is great, but the area needs more jobs period.
So lets not have anything if we can't have everything? Dumb.
Good luck and let me know any information you have, I volunteer in the community, so anything information would be helpful to the residents.
Yeah, stop harassing local businesses and getting your information from an alderman. Pass it on.
This place is really a hipster's wet dream -
In a semi-rough neighborhood that poses no realistic harm during the day yet allows the hipster to tell his friends that he went to a restaurant in a ghetto? Check.
Employs people of a lower socioeconomic level than a hipster? Check
"Cool" name with a local owner? Check.
People from a higher socioeconomic class than a hipster are nowhere to be found? Check.
Disapproval from elected officials? Check.
So Jess Nevins, you have no idea about the neighborhood.
You lived near Damen and Jackson. So you lived in Lincoln Park, but it was close to Damen and Jackson. LOL That is funny. Thank you for opening my eyes to the lies of someone I will never meet.
Tell Andrews that all he needs to do is change his name to a postivie name. HOw about Jess Nevin Palace of Love.
Since we are speculating everything.. You are a plant for Andrews. I read your other posts, some are good, but others....
Everyone who is for the name is a plant for Andrews, and everyone who is against is a plant for the alderman. Good luck where ever you live now. You've made me laugh, and I've shared with other people in the area. It's just funny.
You lived near Damen and Jackson. So you lived in Lincoln Park, but it was close to Damen and Jackson. LOL That is funny
Do they only recruit illiterates for Ald. Andrews cronies? You know what a map is? Give one a look.
Tell Andrews that all he needs to do is change his name to a postivie name. HOw about Jess Nevin Palace of Love.
Now I know you're a plant, cause only a sucker for an Alderman could think of something that stupid.
Since we are speculating everything.. You are a plant for Andrews. I read your other posts, some are good, but others....
others involve ellipses? Is there a spelling test to work for the Alderman? Maybe a grammar check? How about basic literacy? Or do you just gotta know a guy?
Everyone who is for the name is a plant for Andrews, and everyone who is against is a plant for the alderman.
No one said that. You're a smear artist who has slandered a guy doing a stand-up job and giving back to a community that needs it. All the while inferring that anyone who sees this as a good thing for the area should go to Lincoln Park or something. Typical class war bullshit that the Aldercreatures pull all the time when confronted on any issue.
You've made me laugh, and I've shared with other people in the area. It's just funny.
Hey, if I can make the Alderman's day, good times. Print this out, hang it up around the office. Not like you're doing any real work for the community.