By Aidan Mastandrea
News Editor
Mercer County hot dog lovers were struck with bad news on Dec. 28, 2024, when it was announced that Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs was being put up for sale by owners Paul and Janice Tweedley. The first-responder-themed hot dog joint wasn’t empty for long as mother and son duo Deborah and Patrick Jones purchased the shop.
The grand re-opening of Captain Paul’s came on Monday, April 21, and the Jones’ have no plans of changing what the Tweedley’s built in 2009.
“Paul and Janice love that we wanted to keep it the same,” said Patrick.. “We just wanted to keep it going, and they’ve been a huge support, showing us the ropes.”
After a 26-year career as a Trenton firefighter, Paul Tweedley opened the store and wanted to ensure that it was a place where military members and first responders felt appreciated.
“Dedicated to the men and women associated with emergency services, the military and their families and for all those who volunteer to help others,” Captain Paul’s website states.
The Jones’ aim to keep this tradition alive as they get their footing under themselves as first time restaurant owners.
Captain Paul’s will now be implementing “first responder meals” where if someone comes to the store wearing an active uniform, they get a free meal. They also are offering a veteran discount “because we know some people served our country and now they're around,” said Patrick.
“My mom, she worked at the hospital, Capital Health, so we saw the nurses, just everyone there working to keep our community safe and working for our community to make it better,” said Patrick. “We just want to keep the tradition going of honoring them, making a place where they feel welcome and supported and advocating for them.”
Patrick is a special education teacher at Mercer County Vocational School, a lifelong Mercer County resident and a Rider University alum. He had been a frequent customer of Captain Paul’s and didn’t want to see it go.
“I just saw it was for sale. I thought it would be crazy if we bought it, so I turned to mom and said, ‘hey, you know, you're retired and I’m a teacher so I have the summers and weekends off.’ It was kind of like, ‘hey, let's do it,’” said Jones.
Marion, a longtime customer of Captain Paul’s and a Lawrenceville resident, was surprised when she heard the news of the sale, but was already back eating her regular lunch despite the new owners.
“I was sad, I love this place,” said Marion, but she believes that customers will be happy with the new ownership. “The food is as good as it always was; it’s a combination of the old and the new.”
Captain Paul’s menu is chalk full of options, with over 26 hot dogs to choose from, along with sandwiches and other classic items.
Customers can even find a sandwich by the name of “TCNJ,” which is described on the menu as “Pork roll, bacon strips, warm cheddar cheese, steak fries, chipotle sauce topped with coleslaw” and served on a torpedo roll.
While the Jones’ have stressed the importance of continuity as their journey in the hot dog business begins, one change that has been made is the logo. The new emblem will incorporate Deborah’s dog, Walter.
Patrick understands how important the community can be. He even remembers saving up his lunch money to go to the local Carvel as a young boy.
“I want to keep that tradition where kids can come up and get some ice cream, have someplace fun to go, keep that tradition alive,” said Jones.
The Tweedley’s were a major part of the Mercer County community, and now the Jones’ have taken that torch and will look to continue the hot dog shop's legacy.
