Last week brought some big news for the city’s hot dog fans. Jonny’s of Longmont revealed that, due to coronavirus pandemic-related business challenges that are expected would worsen with approaching cold weather, Aug. 24 marked the end of its time at the location on Third Avenue next to Dickens 300 Prime.
It was an emotional decision for owner Jon Bjorgo, who loved serving customers from the corner storefront. In a statement on his Facebook page he said, “Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be running a restaurant during a global pandemic, but here we are. Even though we are still in business, not having the brick and mortar is very sad for me. This has been my life 24/7 for the last two years plus. So many people have come in and out of these doors and have changed my life … and I thank you. Every one of you.“
Customers responded to the news emotionally as well. Fans on the restaurant’s Facebook page talked about how much they liked the food and how they still planned to support the business. Some took care to remind Bjorgo he wasn’t alone in his COVID-19 struggles.
In a positive turn, the end of the brick-and-mortar location doesn’t necessarily mean that Longmont residents will have to forgo their cravings for Jonny’s Vienna beef hot dogs, grilled Italian sausages or gyros. This week, Bjorgo started to work out of two food trucks that might make it easier than ever to find them. Customers can call in for both pickup and delivery services, and there is catering for workplaces, meetings and private gatherings. The trucks also will make visits to sporting activities at locations around the city, such as Garden Acres Park and Sandstone Ranch, at public events and at breweries.
Fans who want to know where and when to find the trucks can track them down via calendar on Jonny’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as its website, jonnysoflongmont.com. On the site, people also can sign up for emails to have the calendar sent to their inbox each week.
The Longmont Downtown Development Authority has noticed the resiliency displayed by Jonny’s in a lot of the businesses it supports.
“Throughout the past five or six months, we’ve seen a lot of businesses who have adapted their business model to survive the ever-changing economic landscape,” said LDDA marketing and events coordinator Colin Argys. “While we’re sad to see Jonny’s leave their Third Avenue storefront, we’re happy with their success with the mobile food truck model. We look forward to patronizing them at other locations in the downtown footprint.”
Jonny's Chicago Style Hotdogs has closed its restaurant on Third Avenue and now will feed its fans via food trucks.(Photo by Deborah Cameron)
