Wilson restaurant gives gourmet hot dogs a whirl, helps those with special needs gain valuable experience

A soon-to-open Wilson business takes on a growing trend that's bringing purpose to an underserved part of the community.

WhirliDogs Café will be a hot dog-themed restaurant that answers the need to bring jobs to those with special needs.

The idea was conceived by co-founders Wesley Trump and Martha Wrenn sharing a vision to employ those with disabilities. The shop aims to fill a growing space to give people with special abilities valuable real-world experience.

"What we heard from parents over and over was they would say 'our guys could not enter the workforce,'" said Trump, who's worked in exceptional children's programs for much of her career. "There were all kinds of barriers put in place."

Trump and Wrenn are also leading an academy to teach 14-to-16-year-olds to learn basic cooking skills.

"We wanted to really teach our guys some culinary and hospitality skills," Trump said.

Similar businesses have launched across the nation and in the Triangle, where Howdy Homeade Ice Cream and 321 Coffee have opened in recent years.

Trump said WhirliDogs plans to have a staff of around 15, including four managers.

The restaurant will serve gourmet hot dogs, soups, grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream and milkshakes. The Wilsonian (hot dog with chili, mustard and coleslaw) figures to be a favorite. The name is a nod to the recycled art sculptures that you can find all over town, including at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park across the street.

WhirliDogs will have a soft opening on Thursday, March 21, with a limited menu. A grand opening is coming in April.

You can check out WhirliDogs at 215 Goldsboro Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The plan is for the restaurant to be open Thursday through Monday in the early going.