After a couple of years I’m not sure how much of a dream this will be, especially if there’s another 50 former govt lawyers trying to do the same thing on the same stretch of street !
Reuters
Isaac Stein makes his living as an attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, working mostly on his own, writing retirement plan regulations in a Washington office building.
Since the federal government shut down early this month, his typical day could not be more different. Stein now spends afternoons on the streets of the nation’s capital selling hot dogs, Moon Pies and RC Cola from a cart he has named “SHYSTERS.”
It’s a job that calls for people skills and a sense of humor, both of which Stein has in abundance.
One constant is his attire. He serves up his dogs wearing a business suit and tie, just as if he were back at the office serving up tax regulations.
The hot dog cart – the slogan for which is: “The Only Honest Ripoff in D.C.” – is the realization of a childhood dream for the 31-year-old Stein. It began at age 12, when he manned a concession stand during a basketball game at his school gym.
“All the other boys were interested in the game,” Stein said. “I had way more interest selling chips and soda.”
WEEKEND PROJECT BECOMES 7 DAYS A WEEK
Before the government shutdown, Stein had intended for the cart to be a “fun weekend project.” But his furlough has given him more time for what he describes as “a joyous art project.”
He now finds himself out seven days a week in the neighborhood where he sets up shop.
“There’s the connection with people,” Stein said. “There’s the small talk of asking people about their day. It’s like reading vignettes in a novel. You feel really connected.”
The cart attracts a mixed clientele of construction workers, government employees and tech workers taking a break from their home offices. It is located near the Metro and a Harris Teeter grocery store.
There’s more hot doggery at
