The Original Coney Island

Owner: Debbie Lamborn

Address: 1003 S.E. 14th St.,

Bentonville, 72712

Phone: 501-254-0232

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-

Friday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Start-up date: Dec. 13

Debbie Lamborn takes her hot dogs seriously. Quality of product helps to determine the success of a business, and Lamborn wants to offer the best coney in Northwest Arkansas.

Several coney shops exist in Tulsa, so Lamborn was surprised when she didn’t find any in Bentonville. Lamborn and her family opened The Original Coney Island to fill the specific niche for the area.

Soups and sandwiches also fill the menu for the shop, but coney dogs are Lamborn’s main business.

“I know some people find that hard to believe,” Lamborn says with a laugh.

Folks know what they like, however, and the coney business proved rewarding for its first few weeks in business, Lamborn says. Steady crowds of diners and repeat business encourage Lamborn’s work.

Experience in food service as a waitress helped Lamborn understand what her customers want from her business.

Selling a fresh product is important, Lamborn says, noting that her chili is made fresh in the shop.