(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A hot dog restaurant in Kane County is ending its nearly 40-year run.
The owner of Pete's Famous Hot Dogs, 77-year-old Pete Prevenas, broke his hip about a year ago.
"His health was just getting worse, and that's when we finally had to make the decision," says manager Terese Taschetta, who has worked at the restaurant for 22 years.
The restaurant in Lily Lake has attracted people from all over who have donated hats for the owner to hang up in the dining room.
"Sometimes I would have to get rid of them because there were hundreds, hundreds of hats," Taschetta said.
The hats on display at Pete's Restaurant.Facebook
Her boss always had what she called his "crazy code."
For example, "27" was code for "Gimme a break" and
"73" was "I've got your back."
"We'd be in the middle of talking, and I'd say, 'See ya later — 73,'" Taschetta said.
She said Prevenas has kept in touch with texts, often with that signature "73."
The plan is to keep Pete's Famous Hot Dogs open another two weeks, she said.
An online fundraiser has been started to raise money for the family.
