Main Street Coneys 2:39 a.m.

Classic rock on the radio, coney dogs for everyone and service with a smile—you don’t get that at many places at 3 a.m.

Trevor Crews takes a late night snack break at Main Street Coneys. {larger}

Hot dogs are everywhere. In the warmers, on the walls and under the counter in gummy-form. A customer even made a ceramic hot dog in her art class and donated it to the coney cause.

“It was nice of her,” says co-owner Zak Richmond admiring the masterpiece. “We have fans.”

I don’t think “fans” is the word. People are lined single-file outside of Main Street Coneys, ready to eat. Some cars have to wait in the street. Richmond knows many of his customers by name, and many know him by name, too. Anyone who can turn a hot dog into a coney dog in Kent needs more than just recognition—he deserves a little respect.

“Zak is the man, end of discussion,” says Jane Sorosky, sophomore fashion merchandising major. “He knows what we want. We don’t even have to say. I even had my 20th birthday here.”

The business was actually Richmond’s partners’ idea. Together, Richmond and his partners, Brad and Kelly Rugh, took a dream and transformed it into Main Street Coneys.

“He knows what we want. We don’t even have to say.”

Most people are too busy stuffing their faces to have any conversation, but Jeff McGuiness, 24, is admiring a customer from afar. Between bites of eye-candy and coney, he tells me his life story.

“I can sum it up in four words: dirt bike, fun and work,” he says, proudly looking around. “I’m going to retire near a Coneys. I really like the area.”

The Rolling Stones come on the radio.

I remember how proud Matt was of his ac/dc decal back at Club Khameleon. I finally understand what he means about “the professional bars.” He’s right. Graduating means getting older, the real world and growing up. It is nice to have a fishing expedition, mingle with the strippers, sip on organic martinis, learn the ins and outs of lubricants and catch a glimpse at what life might be like at 25, but I am happy to be home, back in my own element—chilling in Kent.

Jessica Ball (jmball@kent.edu)

*TheEnd ›› 1,2,3,4,5...