Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs signage at 6340 Gaston.
As my colleague Keri Mitchell noted, “Hot dogs just don’t compete with craft salads in today’s market.” It’s a sentiment that’s proven true in the past year at the Lakewood Shopping Center, where chicer (read: pricier) food and drink options are quickly becoming the norm. Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs is the latest fast-casual business to bite the dust, citing rising rent, according to CultureMap.
The hotdog franchise opened in the old Lakewood Bar and Grill in 2012, bringing a wide selection of dogs alongside an expansive beer and wine menu. It will close its doors for good on Oct. 8. There’s no word yet on whether any new tenants are interested in the restaurant location at 6340 Gaston.
It’s one of many turnovers seen at the shopping center lately, where longstanding businesses like Dixie House and Papa John’s have been replaced with hipster alternatives like SugarBacon Proper Kitchen and the neighboring Craft Beer Cellars. With the exception of the recently opened boutique Turquoise and Lavender, the new openings have all be eateries, bringing a wider range of options to the neighborhood including Unleavened Kitchen, Lakewood Smokehouse and Roots Juice.
It begs the question: Is the Lakewood Shopping Center now a dining destination?
Last year, we explored a wide swath of ideas for how the center could develop into “downtown Lakewood,” looking at everything from its history to its parking options. Give it a read if you want to know more about how the center could change in coming years.
