By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on February 8, 2019
ALBANY entrepreneur Brad Hopperton has added to the dining landscape of the CBD by opening a food van at Albany Waterfront Marina.
Mr Hopperton said he had been eyeing off the ‘pop-up’ market for some time after opening Crusty Crab Fish and Chips Cafe with his partner, Kerry and working at Hybla Tavern.
He sought something simplistic and decided upon selling hot dogs.
Mr Hopperton’s first day of trading with Dogelicious was January 18.
“It was originally going to be in a sea container but it got a bit complicated with the developers of the block,” he told The Weekender.
“The van was a compromise.
“But, having a pop-up gives you more flexibility than a bricks and mortar store, so we can operate for nine months of the year and then pack up and move.”
Mr Hopperton said the business has a weekend focus and is trading on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8pm.
He is currently trialling his allotted area at the end of the Due South car park on Toll Place while exploring a few other potential locations.
“The feedback we’ve had so far is that now people know we’re here, they will come back and eat here,” Mr Hopperton said.
“You see people come down here to eat anyway – with their Hungry Jacks – so here’s where it’s at.
“We’re trying to offer something out of the norm.”
Mr Hopperton’s desire for a simple menu stemmed from working for years in the hospitality sector.
“I’ve managed restaurants and pubs before and it gets so complicated.
This is user-friendly,” he said.
In the next week or two, Mr Hopperton said he might add loaded fries to the menu, and potentially offer a ‘gourmet dog’.
He confirmed that he does indeed have EFTPOS facilities.
