DIGGITY’S NEW DIGS – Erick and Audrey Mosher, owners of Diggity Dogg, stood in front of their new location in the Mountain Village Core Thursday morning. (Photo by Erin Raley)
By Diggity’s standards, the new space in Mountain Village (previously occupied by Screamin’ Doggies) is expansive, allowing for what Erick deemed a “Subway-esque” dining experience (minus the cardboard cutout of a weight-loss spokesman and his pants). New amenities will include a see-through glass counter where customers can watch the Diggity magic occur while orchestrating the creation of their own unique dog.
But perhaps the most attractive element of the roomy new Dogg House (occupancy 28) is that it’s warm.
The Moshers started Diggity Doggs 12 years ago with their Chicago-style street hot dog cart, and later opened the Dogg House in the shadowy breezeway of the Franz Klammer.
“We stood out in the cold for years,” said Erick, “at times wondering what we were doing, watching the water bottles freeze. But we went out there so people would see us out there.”
It’s that kind of dedication to the job that has created a loyal customer following and enabled the Moshers to upgrade their digs. Steve Hilbert of the Telluride Real Estate Corporation, a faithful Diggity Dogg customer for years, offered the Moshers the former ski shop space he owns with Dave Flatt on the plaza. Doug Geissler and Dan Larsen then helped transform the space, and this Sunday local lovers of fine wieners will have the chance to get a “sneak peak” at the new Dogg House.
Product-wise, the Moshers say they’re “sticking with what got us here,” though more space will allow trained chef Erick (before becoming Telluride’s legendary hot dog man he was a chef at a five-star French restaurant) to be more creative with Diggity’s menu.
The Moshers anticipate the new location will keep the locally born and bred company in business for many years to come. Erick, a leading character in the Elks poker scene, said he’s a gambler: “I’m betting that in the next five to 10 years, Mountain Village will be – as the kids say – going off the hook,” he said. Plus, the Moshers’ 8-year-old son Jaxson has announced that he plans on someday taking over the family business in Telluride.
The Dogg House in Mountain Village will be open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours during Conference Center events. This Sunday’s opening coincides with TMVOA’s Diggity Dogg-sponsored Oktoberfest and its infamous hot dog eating contest. The Oktoberfest celebration, which includes pumpkin painting for the kids, beer for the adults and music for all, begins at noon with the hot dog eating contest to commence at 3 p.m. in the Mountain Village.
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