Omanii

On the corner of Fayette and North Crouse the air smells faintly of hot dogs and chili, even early in the morning when Omanii’s Hot Dog Stand is still under covers awaiting business.

Omar Bellamy has been here since he was 11 years old, watching the hot dogs sizzle on the grill and now serving them up himself to customers, all of whom he knows on a first-name basis. But Omanii’s is not just a hot dog stand. On this small corner, under the yellow tent surrounded by trees and a parking lot, Bellamy has created a gateway to improve his community.