Community mourns the loss of hot dog stand founder скачать в хорошем качестве

Community mourns the loss of hot dog stand founder

SOUTH CUMMINSVILLE, Ohio (Joe Webb) -- The founder of the popular neighborhood eatery "Mister Gene's Dog House," Gene Kuester, has died. Mister Gene set up shop in South Cumminsville in 1962 and has been serving hot dogs, ice cream cones and milk shakes ever since. Now that the founder is gone, will Mister Gene's stay in business? A makeshift memorial a half block down Beekman honors the memory of Mr. Gene Kuester. Fifty-three years ago he opened Mr. Gene's Dog House. They're not missing a beat at the store Thursday, August 13, grilling hundreds of hot dogs for lunch. But they are missing Mr. Gene. The original Dog House was a tiny building hauled in on a trailer. It was destroyed by a school bus crash 13 years ago and rebuilt to what it is now. Mr. Gene's son said Mr. Gene's will survive without Mr. Gene. Don Duester, Mr. Genes son, said, "We're going to be here. What he started 53 years ago we're going to continue as long as we can. We're glad to be here and enjoy what we do." Customers seem to like it, too. Something about Mr. Gene's keeps bringing them back. In Cincinnati, that's saying something. Mister Gene Kuester had a strong bond with the neighborhood, particularly the children in the neighborhood. He hired a lot of them and the bond just got stronger. Zerita Andrews opened the store this morning. She's worked there 49 years. Her daughter Kimberly has worked there 34. Another daughter has worked there 30. When that bus came through the wall 13 years ago, Mr. Gene's was closed for six months. They still got paid. Zerita Andrew said, "Mr. Gene always treated everyone that worked here like family. They are my extended family." Now, the extended family is a little smaller but still a family, still in the family home, still having the neighbors over to eat. Gene Kuester donated his body to UC's medical school so there will not be a funeral. The family is planning a memorial celebration August 30, at Maple Ridge Lodge in Mount Airy Forest. The celebration will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hot dogs will be served. Follow Joe Webb on Twitter @joewebbwkrc, and LIKE him on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates!