Philadelphia (KYW Newsradio) — A lot has changed in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood in the last 55 years, but among the things that keep attracting new residents are the quirky traditions that live on.
Case in point, Walt’s Hot Dogs of Hope on the quiet Belgrade Street, where classic row houses face new townhouses and apartments across the street. Every August since 1970, Walt Pomroy, 79, has put up two blue canopies for his annual Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser.
“A dollar for a hot dog, $1.50 for a soda, if you want a soda, and the combo is $2,” Pomroy told a visitor Monday, as his pit bull playfully vied for attention.
A neighbor came by with $6 in cash for four sodas. Pomroy deposited it in a giant Maxwell House can.
“These cans are from 1970,” he said. “They don’t have these cans anymore.”
In those days, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) had a telethon every Labor Day. A neighbor suggested, and Pomroy agreed, to donate the proceeds of his pop-up hot dog stand to the telethon. Back then, he would deliver it in person to the local production hub. Now, he mails in a money order.
Last year, it was $1,300. He’s hoping to surpass that this year. He’s up to $900 and still has almost two weeks left. Over 55 years, it’s added up, though he doesn’t know how much. But he knows MDA appreciates it.
“They love me. They call me. They send me stuff,” he said, removing a jacket to show off his MDA t-shirt.
A horn honked gently, and the driver called out, “You staying out of trouble, Walt?”
It was clear that the MDA is not his only fan.
“Everybody that passes here says, ‘You’re doing a good job, Walt,” he said.
But in a gentrifying neighborhood, change is inevitable.
In March, a developer bought the long-vacant lot where Pomroy sets up his canopies, and he expects construction will be underway by next August.
“Over here, I’m losing. I will not be here next year,” he said.
But he doesn’t want to stop just yet. He wants to run the fundraiser until he’s 80, which means he has to move to a new location.
“People pass by in cars, I say, ‘I might give it up.’ They say, ‘No, keep doing what you’re doing.’”
Pomroy has his eye on a spot half a block down for next August. He warns, though, that with prices going up, he may have to charge $2 for hot dogs. The combo would be $3.