I have been keeping tabs on the progress of the future reopening of Lawton’s Famous Frankfurters at a new location in South Lawrence, Mass. The securing of this new location is in the works according to business owner Joanne Curley. They are hoping to start construction on a new building located on a vacant lot at the corner of South Union and Jamaica Streets in the very near future. Regular readers of this blog may recall I have posted a couple of times (back in December & January) about the closing of the business at its longtime location by the South Canal in Lawrence, see…… https://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/lawtons-famous-frankfurters-may-close-by-dec-31st/ and….. https://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/lawtons-famous-frankfurters-1929-2010/
Joanne Curley behind the counter at the original location of Lawton’s
I recieved a message thru Facebook the other day from Joanne, and she is very upset (rightfully so) about some recent developments that have popped up. In the message from Joanne, she wanted to let people know that something was happening at Lawton’s old location. It seems the owner of the property has advertised the fact that a new business is opening that would infringe on Lawton’s menu and reputation. Here is what she wrote…
WARNING: sign at old Lawton’s location “LAWRENCE FAMOUS FRANKFURTS coming soon” & they still are using Lawton’s old telephone number too!!!! Don’t be fooled folks, It Is NOT Lawton’s…it’s just a ploy to get you there~~ OMG…see how low some people are…Unbelievable!
Please pass this info on…Thank You…I will keep you posted with all Lawton’s info
Diner Hotline Weblog 
I don’t understand the thought process behind trying to open a new business there, especially a hot dog one. If the reasons that Lawton’s closed down after 80 years still exist (bridge construction, canal wall construction etc.) then a new business would not do well there either. If Lawton’s wasn’t able to be profitable with those factors impacting business, how could a business without their legacy even think they would survive? Keep us posted Larry!
Beth, you are correct, there was a newspaper article in the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune about it yesterday and the property owner was quoted as saying he thought it was sour grapes on Joanne Curley’s part for complaining about what he is doing. I think it is the other way around! Check this link out…. http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x598333936/Weiner-wars-Landlord-reopening-Lawtons-hot-dogs-under-new-name
Drove by here the other day and something or somebody must have gotten to them, because their new name has changed to something like Lawrence Frankfurt Haus and Grill
Thanks for the update. Looks like it may have had something to do with the licensing meeting at City Hall last week.
Update – April 23rd: http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x461201006/Dog-Haus-formerly-Lawtons-reopens-on-Canal-Street