While many businesses and eateries in downtown Victoria have struggled and faced closure, Saint Franks has persevered, and is celebrating 10 years in business next week.
Saint Franks is known for their hot dogs and has been a staple of late night culture in Victoria since it opened in 2015.
Over the past decade, the hot dog eatery has weathered several challenges, including a major fire in 2017, enduring the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and an eviction from their original home on Broad Street in 2023.
When they were evicted, Saint Franks took a seven-month hiatus where they dragged everything that wasn’t bolted down, and some things that were, and rebuilt a near-exact replica of the restaurant in their new home on Yates Street.
Jason Pincombe, co-owner of Saint Franks, says that none of the restaurant’s achievements would have been possible without the patrons and staff’s dedication.
“Humbled doesn’t do the word justice, every time we have faced the next ‘well that’s it’ moment, we were dumb enough to ignore all the signs that said ‘stay down’ and decided to persevere,” said Pincombe.
“Our little house of hot dogs wouldn’t be here without the people who have supported us from day one. This celebration is for them. Our intention hasn’t changed much since day one, it’s affordable, fun, dark, loud and a good time for the whole family.”
Pincombe added that he and his partners have been long-time members of the downtown Victoria community and are passionate about being part of a vibrant and fun downtown core.
In a time of political and socio-economic division, he says that Saint Franks aims to provide connection and good times.
To celebrate surviving a whole decade of slinging hot dogs in Victoria, Saint Franks is hosting a 10-year anniversary party on Friday, November 7th.
They invite anyone and everyone down to enjoy a dog and toast to another 10 years.
