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Tears as iconic fast food chain closes down final two locations after 95 years READ MORE: The astonishing statistic that shows why Gen Z workers are infuriating bosses By MARTHA WILLIAMS, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:05 GMT, 30 October 2025 | Updated: 14:05 GMT, 30 October 2025 A beloved Bay Area fast-food institution has served its final hot dog after nearly a century in business. Kasper’s Hot Dogs — famous for its chili dogs and old-school charm — has closed its last two locations, on Oakland’s MacArthur Boulevard and in Concord. The 95-year-old chain, a family-run staple for generations, had become a symbol of local pride and nostalgia. Teresa Belfanti, the owner's daughter, confirmed the closures, which have marked the end of an era for her family and the Oakland community. Belfanti's father, Harold Koojoolian, owned the Oakland Kasper's that closed on October 15. He and his wife, Bonnie Koojoolian, were in their 80s and planned to sell the building and retire. But then Bonnie suddenly died earlier this year. 'It's bittersweet, but it's hard without my mom here,' Belfanti told SFGATE. 'That's been a challenge, so I think the timing is right.' The building was sold to Oakland Trybe, a nonprofit that works with you and families in the area, according to Belfanti –– who says the new owners plan to keep it as a food business with a similar menu. Kasper's Hot Dogs shut its final two locations (Oakland's MacArthur Boulevard and the Concord) last week The 95–year–old chain was an iconic family–run business that served up a healthy dose of nostalgia along with its hot dogs Hollywood's most shocking Ozempic transformations 16.3k viewing now William is now King! Harry and Meghan must be quaking 48.4k viewing now Maternity hospital massacre leaves 460 dead: Fresh horror in Sudan 13.3k viewing now 'It's the end of an era for us, but he's very comfortable with who's taking it over,' Belfanti said of her father. 'They will be good stewards of the business and they'll be good neighbors, having been part of that Dimond District community for a long time.' Behind all the hot dogs, Kasper's had a unique and rich history. Harold's uncle, Kasper Koojoolian, first sold hot dogs in Chicago in the 1920s after fleeing the Armenian genocide. Kasper moved to Oakland in search of better weather and opened his first Bay Area hot dog stand at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard in 1930. The business took off with the help of Kasper's brothers and cousins. At its height, the hot dog chain boasted at least a dozen locations. After Kasper and his brothers died in the 1940s, their wives and children continued to run the restaurants. The original location relocated to MacArthur Boulevard due to highway construction in 1962, and operated there until it closed last week. When customers stepped into Kasper's, with its orange and white–striped walls, diner stools, and a retro menu of hot dogs, chili and 'orange fizz' –– an old school whipped drink, it felt like they were walking back in time. Harold Koojoolian (pictured) was the owner of Kasper’s Hot Dogs Harold's uncle, Kasper Koojoolian, first sold hot dogs in Chicago in the 1920s after fleeing the Armenian genocide The original Kasper's location relocated to MacArthur Boulevard due to highway construction in 1962 Belfanti lived just steps away from the restaurant when she was a child and remembers her mom taking her and her brother there for lunch. 'They used to have a hot chocolate machine and then they also had a milkshake machine, so on a good day you'd get a hot chocolate with a little serving of vanilla ice cream on top,' she recalled. 'That was special.' 'It was a heck of a run,' Belfanti said of the closure of the remaining three Kasper's stores. 'A very long run, but it's time to hand it off to somebody else who can take the next step.' People in Oakland still craving that retro hot dog experience will have to head to Caspers –– a hot dog joint owned by one of Kasper's very own family members which continues to serve in Oakland, Hayward, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, and Dublin. This is just the latest in a slew of closures targeting historic establishments. After 135 years in business, one of Washington's most iconic pharmacy chains has shut its doors for good, closing its final three locations last weekend after weeks of inventory blowouts. The collapse follows a wave of struggles across the sector, with giants such as Rite Aid filing for bankruptcy and Walgreens and CVS also shuttering hundreds of stores as customer habits shift and financial pressures mount. The latest casualty is Bartell Drugs, a Seattle–based chain once beloved for its local identity and community focus. Founded in 1890, it was acquired by Rite Aid in 2020, when it had 67 stores. When customers stepped into Kasper's, with its orange and white–striped walls, diner stools, and a retro menu of hot dogs, chili and 'orange fizz' - an old school whipped drink, it felt like they were walking back in time People in Oakland still craving that retro hot dog experience will have to head to Caspers –– a hot dog joint owned by one of Kasper's very own family members Other longstanding American chains have been forced to shutter many locations, but are clinging onto their final few stores. Iconic 169–year–old US retailer Orvis announced plans to close 36 stores nationwide, part of a major reboot aimed at returning to the fly fishing and outdoor roots that built the brand. Founded in 1856, the Manchester, VA, Orvis calls itself the oldest mail–order retailer in the United States, predating Sears, LL Bean, and even the Pony Express's heyday. But it ditched its famous catalog last year, and now it is closing stores as it tries to save money amid rising costs caused by tariffs. Macy's is in the process of shuttering 150 underperforming stores, including 66 stores this year. Party City and Big Lots have shut all their locations over the past 18 months as consumers increasingly shop online. Share or comment on this article: Tears as iconic fast food chain closes down final two locations after 95 years Add comment
