WESTLAND, Mich. (WXYZ) — It seems to be a ‘staple’ in hardware stores. Hot dog stands at Lowe’s or Home Depot stores are convenient for shoppers on the run.
But several Lowe’s shops in metro Detroit are ending their relationship with the food stands.
We visited Maureen Aird when she was making one of her last hot dogs at the Lowe’s on Newburgh Road in Westland. For her, this has been more than just a job.
“This is a lot of fun. I love the customers and they come and chat with you. They tell you their life stories,” she said. “The children. They are hysterical. They are fun.”
Friday is her last day. The owners of the hot dog stand, and at least three others, received a letter stating their contract with Lowe’s has been terminated and the stands must go.
“It kind of hurts.”
Customers were caught off guard too.
“They are disappointed. They are angry. They want to know why,” she said.
The owner of the hot dog stand tells 7 Action News reporter Syma Chowdhry the company didn’t give him a reason. He also owns stands at the Lowe’s in Madison Heights, Southgate and Ypsilanti. He tells us the demand is great at his locations, sometimes serving more than 1,200 customers a week.
Maureen says the shut down comes right before the busy season.
“Thanksgiving weekend would have been really big.”
Now, she and other employees don’t know what they are going to do next.
“I’m just disappointed that we can’t stay and I’m disappointed I won’t have this job.”
The hot dog stand owner plans to meet with Lowe’s representatives in the next few weeks, in hopes of reversing their decision.
Syma reached to Lowe’s earlier today to ask why they are doing away with these hot dog stands and if this is happening at other stores nationwide, but they have not responded yet.
