Ohio hot dog joint chooses south Sarasota County for Florida debut

Hot Dog Shoppe, a popular Ohio-based eatery founded in 1946, is opening a new location in Venice — its first franchise store and first spot outside the Buckeye State. 

The new Hot Dog Shoppe, at 415 U.S. 41 Bypass N., next to the Hotel Venezia, is scheduled to open Jan. 29, according to a statement. A ribbon-cutting will be held Jan. 30, with a celebration that includes a raffle to win two free hot dogs per week for a year. 

Local entrepreneur Marty Rauch owns and leads Hot Dog Shoppe Venice. He plans to open 20 locations as part of the company’s expansion in Florida, the release states.