Out with the old dogs in with the new: Youz Guys ends run on Kalamazoo Mall

KALAMAZOO, MI — A good old-fashioned changing of the dog is about to happen in downtown Kalamazoo.

Monte Janssen, owner of Youz Guys Dogs , at 312 S. Kalamazoo Mall, announced this week that this would be his last serving Chicago Dogs, Chili Dogs and New York Dogs out of his small window on the mall.

Hot dog lovers won't be left wanting long on the south end of the mall, however. While Janssen's last day serving dogs will be Friday, Sept. 20, Copper's Dog House will be opening in its place on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The incoming business is owned by Grazing Table owners Joey and Jenna Gamrat, who named the business after their mini golden doodle, Copper.

Copper, like his sister Callie, is a big fan of ice cream and hot dogs, Joey Gamrat told the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. As such, Gamrat hopes that people will bring their dogs by the window for free mini cones and mini dogs and to get their photo snapped to go up on the window as one of "Copper's pals."

Humans accompanying Copper's pals will also have the opportunity to get ice cream at the Dog House with soft-serve being added to a menu that the Gamrats are inheriting from Janssen.

"Monte is giving us all the secrets to all his menu items," said Gamrat, 27. "We plan on serving the exact same menu as far as hot dogs go. We'll have everything but the 'Fuhgeddaboudit.'"

Like Janssen, Gamrat said he has no plans to serve a true Coney dog, as he doesn't want to compete with the long-standing Coney Island restaurant on E. Michigan Avenue.

"My goal is not to detract from people and other businesses in Kalamazoo," he said. "My goal is to add to Kalamazoo. For instance, downtown right now, there is no soft serve ice cream. Places like Cheri's and Spirit of Kalamazoo have hard dip. I am not going to come at them and have hard dip. I am going to add soft serve."

Each week at Copper's, there will also be a dog of the week, such as the Seattle Dog — cream cheese, sauteed onions, jalapenos and a dash of sour salt — or a Red Snapper Dog. There will also be a pretzel bun hot dog on the menu, along with plant-based and vegetarian options.

"Our desire is to keep the energy that Youz Guys Dogz brought to the Kalamazoo Mall while adding our own creative twist," said Jenna Gamrat, 28.

Part of that twist will be the addition of grab-and-go sides such as potato salads and coleslaws.

"We're excited to take over what Monte has been building ... to continue serving the community with a totally new concept compared to what we are used to," Joey Gamrat said.

Gamrat said in its three years, Grazing Table has taken on a "Chicago corner cafe type vibe." The hot dog window will not only be extremely different from that, but a bit retro, he said.

Keeping in that mold, the windows will be detailed — one with the menu and the other boasting that Copper's is "Kalamazoo's No. 1 Hot Dog Walk-Up Window."

While the claim may seem bold before opening day, Gamrat is quick to point out that it's the "only walk-up hot dog window in town."

Gamrat is looking forward to he and his staff serving people from all walks of life, he said. As an independently owned business, he also wanted community members to know that the business, like Grazing Table, is in no way affiliated with Radiant Church.

As the Gamrats get ready to move in, the 61-year-old Janssen is preparing to "semi-retire" his title as "The Mayor of South Mall" and focus more on his DJ business.

Don't rule out a comeback from Youz Guys, however.

"I've been looking for a bigger space and haven't been able to find the right one yet," Janssen said. "I need a place inside, where I can do smash burgers, onion burgers and hot dogs."

Janssen said he's excited for the next phase of the small window he's used for the past few years and the energy the Gamrats, and employees like Josiah Sosa will bring to it.

"I had a great time here," he said. "I love Kalamazoo. I love all the people, all the crazy characters of the city."

Janssen will be open from noon until 4 p.m. on Sept. 19 and 20, before emptying his "dirty hot dog water."

Copper's Dog House is planning to celebrate its grand opening on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The new business will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit coppersdoghouse.com or follow the business on Instagram or Facebook .