Wheeling Superdawg to open in January

After almost a yearlong delay, Wheeling's Superdawg will probably open in late January, according to Mark Janeck, Wheeling's director of community development.

The Superdawg building, at 355 S. Milwaukee Ave., will be about 3,500 square feet.

Maurice and Flaurie Berman opened the original Superdawg in 1948 at 6363 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Both Maurice and Flaurie are in their mid-80s, but he still works at the Chicago Superdawg and she still answers the phone.

Their son, Scott, and his sister are also Superdawg employees and his daughter, Laura, 27, will be the manager of the Wheeling location.

Wheeling's restaurant will be topped with the most recognizable Superdawg signature, two 14-foot dancing hot dogs depicting Maurice and Flaurie.

The statues will be made just like the Chicago statues - out of papier-mâché, fiberglass and chicken wire.

Originally, the Wheeling Superdawg was supposed to open in February 2009, but that was delayed after financing for the roughly $6 million project was held up and harsh winter weather kept contractors from working.