Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (June 10/05) - As the sun peeked out from behind storm clouds Monday afternoon, hotdog stand staffers Sarah Lavalle and Jarad Nobles were waiting for business to pick up.

"It's been a bit slow starting off today," said Lavalle, looking up at the cloudy sky, adding that it's on days like these that she'd rather be indoors.

"But (business) should get better once the sun comes out and it warms up."

Just then Cindy Brodhagen, proprietor of the new smokie venture pulled up with some jackets for her staff.

A nice gesture, albeit a bit late.

"Nine or 10 years ago, I used to have a food bus in the good old days when the Zoo was really busy," remarked Brodhagen of her former venture that enjoyed steady business when parked in front of the disco located in the old Mackenzie Hotel.

She's already got hotdogs, spicy smokies and cheeseburgers on her new menu and Brodhagen says she plans to add chili and cheese smokies to the list.

"I've heard enough about the 'woman in Dawson (city) who sells the cheese smokies' so we'll have them soon, too," she said.

From Monday to Friday, the hotdog stand will be parked just outside the library on the corner of Berger Street and Mackenzie Road.

On weekends, at the request of Mad Trapper Pub management, it will stand in front of the local watering hole.

As for Brodhagen's staff of Lavalle and Jarad Nobles, the pair seem pleased with the prospects of their summer job.

"It's fun because you get to meet people and the tourists who come to visit," said Nobles, while serving a smokie to a backpack-laden wanderer.

"But we'd like a stereo so we can dance in front of the cart," added Lavalle.

For some strange reason, dancing hot dog vendors seem just right for Inuvik.

Get your smokies here!