Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame - Blackie's Hot Dog Stand

CT Hospitality Hall of Fame presented by GoNation

Mary Mahoney left her home in County Kerry, Ireland in search of the American dream and met her husband Art Blackman, a Waterbury native. Together they bought a couple of acres of land on the Cheshire/Waterbury line. Their dream to become business owners became a reality in 1925 when they opened an unassuming gas station. The Blackman’s gas station became a popular gathering spot and soon they were serving hungry patrons hot dogs smothered with the Blackman family’s homemade relish.

Blackie’s hot dogs grew in popularity and the Blackmans needed help. Mary enlisted the help of her siblings Nel, Jule and Dick Mahoney. Patrons thoroughly enjoyed the family’s Irish humor, warmth, and wit. Soon Blackie’s had become a popular destination for hungry travelers during the day and couples who danced to all hours of the night. During WWII, times were tough for the nation and government imposed a beef ration, so Blackie’s was only allowed to sell one dog per customer.

Contrary to any rumor, Blackie’s has remained in the same family since 1928. When Art Blackman died in 1938, Mary built the business with her sister Nel. After Mary passed away in 1969, she left her beloved Blackie’s to Nel. Nel was a constant figure behind Blackie’s counter; customers enjoyed her ever present smile, wit, charm working daily until her death in 1994.

When Nel Flavin passed away in 1994, her youngest son, Richard stepped in to continue the Blackie’s tradition. Knowing that his mother liked things to remain the same, business did not change. Richard passed away in 1998, but his wife Susan and children Lara, Rick, Tim, and Meghan carry on the traditions of Blackie’s.

Blackie’s still does not serve French fries and continues to be closed on Fridays. However, you can still enjoy a birch beer on tap and cartons of chocolate milk. Blackie’s will always be a place where generations of families can enjoy the tradition of a Blackie’s dog smothered in our homemade relish.