Stationed in the village on the corner of Dill and University streets, Carter's Nearly World Famous Hot Dogs has been a staple for Ball State students for more than 17 years. Any Ball State student can find Carter faithfully stationed across from Greek's Pizzeria every Wednesday through Saturday from midnight until his last hungry customer is served.
A 1983 Ball State management graduate, Mark Carter decided to begin his own business April 15, 1994, after working for his father.
Carter said the story is fairly simple. Oscar Meyer himself appeared to Carter in a miraculous vision as he sat in his bedroom. With specific instructions Meyer demanded, "Mark, go forward and purvey processed meat to the masses." Carter laughed when he shared this tale and declared that since then, he has been selling hot dogs.
Experimenting with a shop from 1998 to 2002 on the corner of Martin Street, now Jimmy John's, Carter said there were definite pros to serving in a shop, especially dealing with Indiana's weather. Throughout his years of business Carter has dealt with every climate condition and surprisingly prefers winter's weather over spring and summer's rain.
"It is a lot harder to work in the rain than in the snow. ... The snow can just brush off," he said.
Carter's hot dog stand is specifically stationed for maximized convenience with buns and foil positioned in their designated spots on the cart. Carter's stand is accented with a brown cardboard sign displaying menu prices, ranging from a $1 hot dog to $2.50 chili cheese Fritos. Carter has not changed his prices in years and has no plan to do so in the future.
"I know the price before I start making the order," Carter said.
Red, yellow and smelly are three key words in the special "Carter Lingo," used amongst Carter and his customers. The colors are used in substitute for ketchup, mustard and onions.
"At 3 in the morning, it is easier for them to say," Carter said.
For more than 17 years, the charismatic Carter has made an impact on his customers with his sense of humor, relaxed personality and delicious hot dogs. The subject of several Facebook pictures, Carter is always willing to stop and pose for a picture in his signature baseball cap and red apron. Carter enjoys carrying on late night conversations with his customers and prides himself on remembering regular faces.
Kevin Williams, sophomore natural resources and environmental management major, remembers eating Carter's hot dogs nearly every weekend last year. For him, Carter's has a better taste than other hot dogs.
Williams, along with other loyal customers, thinks that Carter is a very family-oriented man with a kind heart.
"I can remember him talking about buying glasses for one of his kids," Williams said.
While hot dog sales in the Village make up for 55 percent of his profit, the other 45 percent comes from other events. Nearly anywhere a hot dog stand can go, Carter has been, including churches, birthday parties, weddings, business events, greek houses and the cemetery. Last year alone, Carter vended at over 380 different events.
Carter's hot dogs are making a name for themselves. They were featured in the 2003 Sports Illustrated College Edition in the number 51 spot on the "The 100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate."
With the positive attention Carter is receiving, he has no plan to retire soon.
"I will be out there until I am 93 years old," he said.
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