Keep Happy Dog Hotdog Alive
Donation protected
The “NOT” so happy news about Happy Dog!
Happy Dog’s little red cart caught fire this past weekend during one of our events. Daniel was not injured , thank God. Although the cart can be repaired, the time has come for him to get a bigger, better and safer cart. The cart was a DIY project he did with the kids. A labor of love that has served our family of 8 very well. Eventhough it wasn’t meant to last this long, it did! The truth is, Daniel has been saving up for a bigger cart (he has outgrown that little red cart a while ago)
We have recently been informed that the new State and County requirements have changed once again and he will not be allowed to carry over the codes he had grandfathered in the last 8 years to the new cart. Eventhough the operation will remain the same, he’s still serving hotdogs and the only change is that it will be a bigger and better cart, he would not be able to renew his permit. It will have to be a “new permit application process”because it will be a new unit. We are also told, he may be required to get a walk-in enclosed trailer which he doesn’t want. He wants an open air cart like the little red cart, so he can continue to serve his customers the way he has been. So with this new information received, we have 2 options - renew the permit for the same exact cart (just fix the damage) or get an enclosed trailer which costs a million dollars (not really, but might as well be since we can’t afford one of those) They said to get an open cart approved and permitted, it will need to be built their way. Some of the things they’re requiring us to have are not necessary for our operation. It’s quite confusing really because first they said walk in trailer but then they give us a list of things we need to have in the new cart to get approved. Sigh!
Daniel would like to get back out there ASAP. Everyday he’s out is everyday loss of income. We are frustrated that for 8 years we have complied, paid our yearly health permit dues and now we face the possibility of not being able to open again with the cart of our choice and one we can afford. It’s frustrating because we’ve seen so many carts pop up just this past year that I know for a fact does not meet requirement standards and operating without health permits (I do not blame them one bit because they sure make it so hard for small businesses) but somehow get a pass.
Daniel would never ask the community for help so I am. He doesn’t really do social media, I do it for him so he probably won’t see this for a while . Let’s get him back out in his little corner where everyone who comes to visit becomes “HIS FRIEND” I have started this GoFundMe because what we have saved up is now not enough to cover the cost of a custom built cart the city is requiring. The type of cart they want him to get is 3x what we expected to pay.
Let’s keep Daniel’s dream alive! Navigating the system of beaurocracy is no fun. The constant changes in policy and requirement is frustrating. The wait just to get a simple answer is unbelievable, so we wait. We’re at their mercy it seems. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with us and supporting Happy Dog Hotdog.
Every dollar is greatly appreciated and will go towards the build of the new cart.
Happy Dog’s little red cart caught fire this past weekend during one of our events. Daniel was not injured , thank God. Although the cart can be repaired, the time has come for him to get a bigger, better and safer cart. The cart was a DIY project he did with the kids. A labor of love that has served our family of 8 very well. Eventhough it wasn’t meant to last this long, it did! The truth is, Daniel has been saving up for a bigger cart (he has outgrown that little red cart a while ago)
We have recently been informed that the new State and County requirements have changed once again and he will not be allowed to carry over the codes he had grandfathered in the last 8 years to the new cart. Eventhough the operation will remain the same, he’s still serving hotdogs and the only change is that it will be a bigger and better cart, he would not be able to renew his permit. It will have to be a “new permit application process”because it will be a new unit. We are also told, he may be required to get a walk-in enclosed trailer which he doesn’t want. He wants an open air cart like the little red cart, so he can continue to serve his customers the way he has been. So with this new information received, we have 2 options - renew the permit for the same exact cart (just fix the damage) or get an enclosed trailer which costs a million dollars (not really, but might as well be since we can’t afford one of those) They said to get an open cart approved and permitted, it will need to be built their way. Some of the things they’re requiring us to have are not necessary for our operation. It’s quite confusing really because first they said walk in trailer but then they give us a list of things we need to have in the new cart to get approved. Sigh!
Daniel would like to get back out there ASAP. Everyday he’s out is everyday loss of income. We are frustrated that for 8 years we have complied, paid our yearly health permit dues and now we face the possibility of not being able to open again with the cart of our choice and one we can afford. It’s frustrating because we’ve seen so many carts pop up just this past year that I know for a fact does not meet requirement standards and operating without health permits (I do not blame them one bit because they sure make it so hard for small businesses) but somehow get a pass.
Daniel would never ask the community for help so I am. He doesn’t really do social media, I do it for him so he probably won’t see this for a while . Let’s get him back out in his little corner where everyone who comes to visit becomes “HIS FRIEND” I have started this GoFundMe because what we have saved up is now not enough to cover the cost of a custom built cart the city is requiring. The type of cart they want him to get is 3x what we expected to pay.
Let’s keep Daniel’s dream alive! Navigating the system of beaurocracy is no fun. The constant changes in policy and requirement is frustrating. The wait just to get a simple answer is unbelievable, so we wait. We’re at their mercy it seems. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with us and supporting Happy Dog Hotdog.
Every dollar is greatly appreciated and will go towards the build of the new cart.
Organizer
Cheryl Gozon Aguirre
Organizer
Santa Cruz, CA
