Jumbo's hot dog stand is back in business four months after a van crashed into it

Four months after a van careened out of control, crashed into his hot dog stand and shut it down, Dave Martina, owner of the "Original Jumbo's" is back in business.

Martina made a splash last spring when he opened his hot dog stand on Van Houten Avenue across from Jumbo Italian Ices next to Mario's restaurant, which had been in business for more than 20 years.

Shortly after Martina opened the stand, a van lost control, struck a few cars and crashed through it. With the help of the city and several sympathetic contractors, the stand reopened last month in time for the Van Houten Avenue street fair.

"I had to borrow money from family to get the work done," Martina said. "If I had waited for the insurance company, it could have been a year."

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Even so, he said he missed the summer market, which is traditionally the best season for selling hot dogs. Still, he said Clifton proved that it is indeed "The City That Cares."

When his contractors needed a permit or an inspection, the city building department came out in a timely manner, he said.

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"It just worked out," Martina said. "The new equipment showed up a few days before (the street fair) and the city came out and allowed us to open. They helped me out. I love this city."

Moreover, Clifton residents came out to say they were sorry for his misfortune and expressed support for his business. He still has to settle up with the insurance company to reimburse him for the damages.

"I still don't know what it costs," Martina said. "I haven't added it all up yet."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jumbo's hot dog stand in Clifton NJ open again after crash