A hotdog restaurant in the FairOaks Mall that employs individuals with emotional and intellectual disabilities will relocate to downtown Columbus later this year after reaching its goal in a fundraising campaign.
Special Dogs & More plans to move to the former Eagles Club at 217 Washington St., located across from the Bartholomew County Courthouse, sometime in mid-November or December, said Randy Lapidus, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Robin.
The couple launched a $50,000 online fundraising campaign in June and was able to secure $51,837 in donations, which will be used for the build-out of the space, Randy Lapidus said. Contributors included Columbus native and former NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, who donated $5,000.
Randy Lapidus said the couple plans to sign a five-year lease later this week and is in the process of finding a contractor to do renovations inside the building that will involve electrical, plumbing and countertop work.
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The business has been at the mall since October, but declining foot traffic following mall store closings prompted the couple to seek a new location.
Randy Lapidus said he is looking forward to being downtown and thanked the community for its support.
Special Dogs & More will be joined by a second restaurant, 4S Bistro, in the 11,250-square-foot-building.
Special Dogs & More will take up about 1,400 square feet and the second restaurant will occupy 2,075 square feet, said Tara Board, director of brokerage services with Breeden Commercial.
Randy Lapidus said the relocation of the hot dog business will result in some menu changes, including vegetarian and create-your-own burger and hotdog options. Salads will also be offered at the downtown location when it opens, he said.
He also plans to hire four or five more individuals at the new location when it opens, he said.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, Lapidus said.
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For more information on Special Dogs & More, visit www.facebook.com/SpecialDogsAndMore/
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