Iconic Allentown hot dog shop to stay open with new owner

Willy Joe’s will live on after all.

The iconic Allentown hot dog shop at 15th and Liberty streets will be passed on to a new owner who has committed to continuing it. The location went up for sale in October.

“We had multiple offers, in part because there’s two apartments and the business in the lower level,” said Realtor Robbie Stephens of Rudy Amelio Real Estate. “Not all of them wanted to run the business, but the owners really wanted to see the hot dog business continue, and that’s the offer they took.”

Owners Rich and Hollie Hirst announced the deal on their Facebook page late

Tuesday.

“We are happy to let u guys know that we have sold Willy’s to an eager young man who can’t wait to take over,” the post reads. “He will continue to be open from 10:30 to 3, Monday Through Friday and 11 to 3 on Saturday… He will not be changing a thing… thank god we found someone who wants to keep the store going. And is excited to keep it going!!”

The sale will be completed Dec. 29. The new owner is currently training.

The news is bittersweet for Rich Hirst.

“It was time to go,” he said. “We’re going to miss the people who came, some were like family.”

He’s happy the business is being passed on to a person who is invested in carrying on Willy Joe’s legacy. “This is someone who is interested in keeping the name going. His main hope is that [customers] won’t know a thing has changed.”

While Hirst is relieved that Willy Joe’s will continue to live on, he was emotional about the sale.

“When we took over, we tried to keep the tradition going,” he said. “I hope he is able to keep it going to see the 100-year mark,” Hirst said.

The shop was opened in 1945 by namesakes William and Josephine Saks, and later expanded to several other locations. The last of those shops, at 2407 Lehigh St. and previously owned by Matthew Wursta, closed in February.