Franklin County Retail Merchants Association, Inc.

April 8, 2009

WINNER ANNOUNCED

Photos courtesy of The Franklin Newspost

OVERALL WINNER

 Multiple Locations 

Arrington Enterprise Inc. (AEI) Dairy Queens located at Plateau Plaza, 40 West, and Ferrum.

Picutred are Representatives of the overall winniers of the Best Hot Dog in Franklin County 2009.    Left to right are Brian Arrington (AEI), David Arrington (AEI), Tom Gourley (FCRMA), Debbie Russell (AEI), and Sam Campbell (Helping Hands of FC).

Individual Location:  Ravens Country Store

Jessica Beckett and Carol Hall of Ravens Country Store accept award for first place individual location. 

Bragging rights for 2009 have been determined by the customers of 21 different hot dog establishments.  It seems that the advantage of multiple locations became too much to overcome in the end.  Arrington Enterprises' three Dairy Queens brought home the award.  With total donations of $1,047.44,  AEI represented 37% of total votes.  Coming in a strong second was Ravens Country Store, with 24% of the votes.  Traditional local favorite, Bowling Place (Bowling's Hot Dog Stand) came in third with 20% of the votes. 

All participants and their customers are to be congratulated on a job well done.  Total donations made during the contest were $2813.54. 

Sam Campbell of Helping Hands of Franklin County said, "I am grateful and amazed at the generosity of the patrons of the local businesses in supporting this contest and their favorite hot dog." 

Tom Gourley, promotion organizer with Retail Merchants, was "blown away" by how well the community got into this contest.  People were really happy to vote for their favorite business and those businesses should be proud to have such loyal customers.  Franklin County Retail Merchants Association, Inc. wants to thank everyone for the support shown through this contest.

March 17, 2009

Who will win the bragging rights for the “Best Hot Dog In Franklin County 2009” contest?  The winner remains to be determined. 

You can make a difference by going to your favorite hot dog place and dropping your 25¢ vote into their collection jar.  Not only will you be supporting local business, but  the proceeds will also go to support local organizations doing good things in the community.  The proceeds will be shared 50/50 between Helping Hands of Franklin County and the Franklin County Retail Merchants Association. 

 March 10, 2009 Hot Dog Contest Update #2

New Leader Emerges

As the contest for the “Best Hot Dog In Franklin County 2009” passes its midway point, Bowling Place has gained a slight lead over Ravens Country Store.  Arrington Enterprises Dairy Queens have pulled into third place after getting off to a later start than most of the contestants.  Cheryl’s Place is running fourth with the Hot Dog Wagon at West Lake farmers market beside Lake Inn coming in fifth.  Carl’s Place and Pit Stop are running neck and neck for sixth.

The contest runs through the end of March so everyone has time to check out the contestants’ hot dogs and get in a vote.  Support your favorite hot dog and the local Helping Hands charity by dropping in your 25 cent vote.  No matter where you live in Franklin County there is a contestant near you.

From February 17, 2009  Hot Dog Contest Update #1

Hot Dog Contest Off and Running

The “Best Hot Dog In Franklin County 2009” has hit the ground with a rousing success.  There are 22 businesses participating in the contest throughout Franklin County.  From Penhook to Ferrum, from Henry to Boones Mill, from Westlake to Sontag to Dugwell, businesses and their customers are pitching in to raise money for Helping Hands of Franklin County by voting with their 25 cents to support their favorite local hot dog.

After the first round of collections of votes Raven’s Country Store, on South Main Street, has a slim lead over Bowling Place, on VA 40 West.  Third place is held by Cheryl’s Place on US 220 North, forth place by The Hot Dog Wagon at West Lake farmers market beside Lake Inn.  Coming in fifth place is Carl’s Place in Penhook and sixth is Pit Stop on US 220 South at Sydnorsville. 

There is plenty of time to cast votes since the contest will continue until March 31, 2009.  Go by your favorite hot dog place and show your support by casting your vote into their collection jar.