2008 Woodie Awards
DU fixture gives more than just hot dogs
Neyman brings food, an interesting story
Ryan Boulding
Issue date: 5/8/07 Section: Features
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Neyman is a fixture at the Asbury Avenue crosswalk. He sells good-quality hot dogs from his stand and although he has an umbrella, his skin is a deep tan from all those hours in the sun.
Neyman has been selling hot dogs with a variety of toppings for three years.
Born and raised in Russia, Neyman holds a graduate degree in mechanical engineering and is a manufacturer of plastic materials.
"I go to school almost 13 years," said Neyman about his days at St. Petersburg University. A college education was free as long as students got good grades. After graduating, Neyman worked nearly 30 years in a company with some 20,000 employees.
"We improve some plastic to give the plastic better quality," said Neyman. He also helped to update equipment, making it more efficient.
Yet, Neyman wasn't happy in Russia.
"I came [to America] in 1992," said Neyman, "for a better future for kids. It is most important because future of family belong to me and I need to think about future."
He started working at Medtronic here in Denver, moving up the ranks as he learned English. Neyman helped to improve existing technologies until he was laid off.
"I was old, 60, 62," said Neyman. "So I like to work. I cannot not work."
That is when he started with the hot dog cart.
"It is not easy work, this job," said Neyman. "I work 13 hours per day." Neyman also has to worry about the weather, and plan his attire accordingly.
Some days he is flooded with customers, staff, students and locals all lining up to get a taste of his top-of-the-line product. Other days are not so good. Just recently his business suffered during May Days events that offered free food a few hundred feet from his cart.
His popularity also drops in bad weather. "When the weather bad, people different," said Neyman.
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