Boo. I'm so sorry to hear this news!

Sad news! Definitely a staple for HP lunch (and it never hurt to get a hello from Bobby, either).

Sad, but I'm not surprised. My daughter and her friends used to go there but the quality had been going down in recent months. On my last visit, the kid's meal of Mac & Cheese was so obviously from the "blue box" at the supermarket, yet paying for something that should have been a cut above that for $5.00. But I will miss the smell of the oil for fries that I associate with the little shack I remember from the '70's when I was in high school. I would get hungry just turning the corner onto 2nd Street.

I was in for lunch a few weeks ago. I live out of town and was looking forward to a char dog and fries. It was lunchtime and the place was empty--with no energy. The fries were not the fries I remembered--definitely had gone downhill. I said to myself...."never again." I think the problem was that it tried to be too many things and people didn't know what it was. You couldn't tell that it was a hot dog place from the outside or from walking in. It's too bad--another HP institution falls.

SOMETIMES it just pays to keep things simple...the way they were. I will remember the "old Stash's" with very fond memories because my friends and I hung out there. We did enjoy the Vienna hot dogs and fries, too! So sad! :(

So what happens @ Hidden Creek for food? Maybe Michaels?

When I first moved here, Stash's was a big part of the HP fast food scene. I think the public’s taste changed and they were not able to keep up. We became much more health and quality conscious and they were not able to satisfy either of those criteria. I know we went as a family once, after the new location opened and that usually is not a good sign as we frequent several other restaurants on a regular basis.

Wish Bobby the best going forward!

The bigger part of the story isn't even included in the story above. Wow. Get ready.

when stan owned it we emplyees tried to do it right. made it a challange to get things done quickly. stan used to ride the horse that led the race horse he told me once. well i haven't been to stash's in oh...about 3o years maybe. you'll find another place not to take care of you.

This is a big thing, very impactful, to one who had had the hot dog in the first location, the burger in the trailer, the cheddar fries in the Port Clinton location. Stash was a big part of HP. Respect to his memory and how things change......

As far as I'm concernd, Stash's was dead when it moved into Port Clinton and the son was running it---never works. Stash's hasn't been Stash's for decades. The new concept and new location were total head scratchers. Huh- Wha- Really???

The Eastern most restaurants survive in HP. The mid and West ones go out...go figure.

Room for another BANK!!!

I'm excited for : MS
8:24 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The bigger part of the story isn't even included in the story above. Wow. Get ready.

What is happening along Second Street?

They lost Hidden Creek aqua park last year. And, BTW, it was horrible. The new people expanded the menu & after waiting for 30 mins for hotdogs & fries decided to cancel and left to find food.

I stopped by Stash's last Fridayfor lunch and had a nice chat with Bobby. We talked about the declines in retailing and restaurants in particular. He gave me no indication that he was closing..Bobby mentioned restaurants were hurting because of the deline of lunch business where less office workers are eating out, especially in Highland Park.
I ordered my usual polish sausage with fries. The fries were way below the store's standards and early claim of "the best fries on the North Shore." I guess they didn't change the frying oil knowing the business would be closing. ;0))

Maybe when all the local businesses are closed, some of you people will be happy, when your selection is panera, starbucks and other homogenous choices. Bobby was an institution and a huge supporter of this community. Fundraising, special events, he was a giver, and from the snarky comments, I am not surprised that the support is dwindling in the HP based on the personalities here. Look at your local stores and restaurants this week, and see the owners behind them. They are in business because they care about serving their community. Every time the schools and local non profits have fundraisers and need sponsorship, who donates? Francescas? Starbucks? Nope! It's your local merchants, and obviously that's not so important to some of you. They support you and your families! Turn around and support them! They can't stay in business without you, and when they try to survive, you diss them for decreased quality. My guess is he was trying to hang on and couldn't. Very sad, for him, for other local merchants and ultimately for our community who they support.

He was a jerk to his employees and tried to steal Michael's customers! Urban is doing great in his old location. He thought it was a bad location! He was not well liked. He never understood that.

Hey all, you can look forward to a Panera on that street soon! The HP landlords love a chain!!

OMG. Let's have a moment of silence for the beloved stash's...........ok, Im pretty much over it. In my opinion, I thought the kiss of death was when they moved from one end of the block to the other. I always went to stash's not just for the fries, but the parking situation was easier. If I'm on the north side of central ave fighting for a parking spot, I'd rather go to Michael's. When i was a kid, stash's was the place to be for lunch because of the video games. Even when they were in that trailer on the east side of port Clinton. I always thought it was funny though how the new owner would make the front table in the restaurant into his make shift office, piling paper work and debris, while having his back to the door and facing the employees as though he was always watching them. Aren't you supposed to leave the front parking spots open for the customers? I'm just saying. Ok, nuff of that, if you really want the BEST hot dog, cheese fries, Pepsi combo..................It's at "Irving" in Wilmete on Skokie Blvd by lake street. Long way to go,but well worth it. The owner is also seen behind the counter blending in with the workers serving food. Also, the BEST French fries on the whole north shore.........it sounds crazy,but............Las Tree Hermanas, a Mexican restaurant in Highwood. Tell them Moe sent you.

I couldn't agree more with the beautiful and articulate words from Laurie. I am a small business owner in Highland Park and encourage everyone to show their support for their local merchants on Small Business Saturday rather than flock to the malls or shop online.

There was a reason why he did a BYOB concept. Liquor licenses takes a very hard-time to get.

Laurie does make sense. I have supported a lot of the local businesses in Highland Park, and encourage others to do so. It was how I was brought up. The staff that he had was great. Always a friendly face and many times knew what you were going to order. I thought it was weird that I had been in stash's at least 100 times since the new owner took over and never got a thanks for stopping in, how you doing?, how can I help you?, how about this weather?, how about them Bears?, from the owner. Believe me, I never want to see a business close, but I believe in basics. Hot food, friendly service, and REASONABLE prices. Something that is hard to accomplish uptown Highland Park in the high rent district. isn't corner bakery corporate???? They closed their doors too.

Laurie,
Did you ever eat at Stashs? It has nothing to do with local support. Look at Michael's, Once upon a bagel, Piero's, nortons, etc... What are you talking about not supporting locally owned business? The new owner had no idea how to run the restaurant, and the food was never consistent. I used to loved going to Stash's, but their quality tanked and forced me to go to Michael's. Don't blame the customer because the new owner made every bad decision.

I'd like to see everyone support small businesses in our community, just like you need our help with the fundraisers we need your help with your presence in our stores. We've seen a lot of small businesses go under, and it is sad, but if we act as a community and support each other we can turn it around and make a Highland Park what it used to be. I am very proud to be a business owner and a resident here for over 30 years, and appreciate the loyalty of our customers. It is Thanksgiving time, let's be thankful for what we have and the ability to give! Stop by, say hello ad have a cup of tea with us, we welcome everyone's comments and feedback. God bless!

Where is your business olga?

We Deal got screwed along with all the people who bought Stash's deal:

A note about your recent purchase

It has come to our attention that three restaurants recently featured on Wedeal -- Stash’s, 2nd St Bistro, and 2nd St Enoteca -- have apparently ceased operations and are closed for business. You're receiving this note because you purchased one or more of the deals.

Like you, we are deeply disappointed. Wedeal LLC is working to find a suitable resolution for our affected members.

This is a developing event. The reported closures took us by surprise, but once we have a better view of the situation, we'll accommodate all purchasers of these offers.

We appreciate your trust and patience in this matter, and will update you soon.

MS, your all fired up. Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel. Most important, I want to know where you go for a good hotdog, cheese fries, and a coke?

Mobil station Green Bay road looks like its the next to go. Property was sold according to the County Recorder office for around a million bucks. Wonder if the city and Alysa Knobel are on top of this.

Bobby, owner of Stash, is one of the nicest guys in Highland Park. He served the city on the BEDC commission and has always said hello and how are you to customers. A lot of sour grapes here and sticking it to a owner who tried to do a good job and becaude the economy sucks could not make it. How about some nice here instead of nasty

Very disappointed. There seems to be a spate of store closings in Highland Park. I am a little miffed in that the Bedc and the Alliance are in place to retain and recruit business. If I were the Mayor and City Manager I would be reviewing the institutions and leadership involved lest we loose out downtown tax base.

We are losing businesses all over the place yet we put Obama, Quinn, Schneider, Morrison, etc in office. Honestly, we are reaping what we have sown. It's a damn shame. Sorry for the politics, but this was predictable and preventable. It's time to encourage not discourage private enterprise.

Mike, yes i have eaten at Stashs for years. last time was at a fundraiser he held on monday night for best futures, a local non profit that provides job training for young adults in our community with special needs. the second year doing this I might add.
I am not "blaming the customer".
I believe my comments are more geared towards raising awareness of this becoming an epidemic in our community. Our local businesses are hurting, and many are closing, and our community is hurting because of it. You mention quality: a strong argument for local business is, It is about quality. Quality of service, quality of relationships, quality of product. If you don't have that quality in your life, perhaps others do. I enjoy walking into a store like Uncle Dans, or going to Olga's, knowing the owners, the people helping you; those very same people are sponsoring local activities and events to keep our community thriving. If you didn't like stashs, fine, you are entitled to your opinion. Not everyone has to like the same things, it's a big wide wonderful world of choices we have in this country. But, If bashing someone makes you or other people feel better, that's kind of sad.
And on a side note, do the original owners of Michaels still own it? I believe they sold it, wonder why??

Lee, you probably fit in that group of people whom "Bobby" felt obligated to give attention too. I'm in the services industry and believe that every person who walks through the door should be treated like profit and Im the overhead. I appreciate what he tried to do, big shoes to fill. Mike Belsky, What up, You the man! I'll be your co-mayor if run!

Bobby is a terrific guy who always greeted my family with a hello and a smile. Being newcomers to the area, we were impressed with his friendly demeanor, and his great french fries! His restaurants will be missed.

Can we please get some good chicken wings in this town! It's too bad I have to drive all the way up to waukegan to "Gators Wing Shack" on Lewis and 120. Another place is "Buffalo Joe's" in Evanston. If someone wants to fund it, we can open "Moes Wing Ding Dingalings and Gyros". It will be the BEST wings and gyros on the north shore because we will focus on those two items. Want to eat healthy? Don't come to "Moes" cause it tastes great but is sooo not healthy. I will be there day and night, shaking hands and giving kids free prizes, because that's what they remember. Don't forget, the kids are our future customers.

It always sucks when a business closes but Stash's deserved to close. No one went there! Food was too much - $4.00 for a hot dog with fries whether you want it or not was annoying. The upscale burgers were made with lousy meat. The pizza was lame too. Bit off more than he could chew. I was raised a Nathan's/Michael's guy anyway (although I think even that went down over the years), but I liked Stash's when it moved to Port Clinton. I had lunch at round noon a few months ago, and it was EMPTY. Michael's had it usual line. Says it all. Anyway, I look forward to what's coming next. And Bobby - here's a tip - you don't make one of the tables in the restaurant your OFFICE!!!

I've been going to Stash's since 1967. I'm the only one who ordered the quarter pounders on the flat grill, and had them make the chopped onions into grilled onions. That's the way they made it in the original building. I happened to have a burger on Monday, so I guess it was a good run.

The fries were never quite the same after Stan's family left. But, even when they were good in the old days, they were inconsistent.

The new owner probably had his office at a table so he was accessible to you. But, he still seemed less accessible than Stan. He did say hi to me, but seldom, not always.

I do think his move to the new location was a bad move, and I told him that the parking was not going to be good, but maybe it was too late when I brought that up.

I also didn't like that he didn't concentrate on burgers and dogs (and salads) like the old Stash's. But, it was his place. I didn't get the bistro thing, and I was afraid it meant he was desperate. I'm sure that the downward spiral then hit a cliff.

I thought the food was still very good at the end. Of course, I always had my quarter pounders or dogs, so maybe I'm not the best judge.

Anyway, I am sad.

Was Dubin in Prison in his past life (before the hotdog business)? Some type of insurance fraud Maybe? Anyone heard that and/or can confirm? Dubin claims he didn't screw We Deal...Hmmm.

Bryce, Isaac and Moishe Nava are quite accessable to their customers. And they have their nephew, Danny, managing the 1st Street store during the day. Moishe runs the Temple St. business in the evening.

A local plumbing contractor bid on work at Stash’s about 5 years ago, Dubin told him he cost 5 time as much as a guy from Wisconsin. Hay Bob did you get any customers from Wisconsin?

I was saddened to hear about Stash's closing. I enjoyed the food and loved his venturing out into finer food.
Then I heard what he did to We Deal and I was disgusted! I understand that Bobby might have had some money problems or whatever reason he closed the business, but to rip off a great business like We Deal is aweful.Jordan Heller and his team have built up a nice business through their hard work and to be "taken" like that puts Statsh"s 44 years under a dark cloud.

He did go to jail for Medicare Fraud. We Deal is upset, woudn't be surpised if it results in more charges. BYOB occurred probably becasue of his felony conviction, could not get a liquour license.

Olga, thank you for being a valued Wedeal subscriber. You and every other one of our loyal subscribers will be reimbursed for your purchase. There were around 1,000 coupons sold and over 100 redemptions. We are working diligently to literally refund each person individually (a somewhat manual process) and we appreciate your patience. Every single person will be refunded. Our small local company of 5 People will continue to provide unbeatable local deals and be the North Shore's leading, and only place to go online -every day- for a local deal!

Having grown up in Highland Park, I have very fond memories of the old institutions. Sliding under the doors in the ladies room at Garnett's so that you didn't have to pay .10 to use the toilet; butter cookies at Wirth's Bakery and Friday night roller skating at the Rec Center, followed by a $1.00 dog, fries and small coke at Stash's. We'd get our food, walk outside and pat the elephant trash can cover on the head and walk up the street to sit on the curb and eat.

Stash's was amazing. The food was always great, fresh and for the most part, well priced. Once it was sold it ceased being a hot dog stand. Too fancy, too fussy and too expensive. I don't want to go to a BYOB hot dog stand. I don't want table service. Give me a Vienna dog, served up in a steamed poppyseed bun with the appropriate condiments, sans ketchup, a bag of greasy, well done fries and a Coke. Done. If I want waiter service I go elsewhere. I'm a firm believer in supporting local and small businesses. As long as the business owner treats me and his staff like he wants them to be there and he appreciates us. I am sad Stash's is gone, but I miss a lot of things about the Highland Park of my youth. I miss knowing all my neighbors, the rocketship slide at Mooney Park and now I'll really miss those really small bags of steamy, salty, greasy fries from Stash's.

I want a hamburger. No, cheeseburger. I want a hot dog. I want a milkshake. I want potato chips... how about another cub cake or gelato shop?

Dirty, filthy, delicious. Dear Franks. Best Fries.

Spalding! You'll get nothing and like it!

Yes Bobby did sit there, but he never said hi to me. I guess he was picky and I didn't make the cut. Totally doesn't surprise me what he did with WeDeal, seems about right for him.

Anyone know what's going on with the catering? He does lunches at many HP elementary schools. Hope he didn't steal the kid's lunch money too!?!

I heard he had drug probs way back when... Maybe that resurfaced??

JT -
Drug problems? Please. Let's not slander the man while we know few facts.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-03-06/news/8501130025_1_medicaid-fraud-morton-goldsmith-plea-agreement ... not slander when you can just google that shit

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-04-08/news/8601250743_1_medicaid-program-sentenced-codeine-based

A real honest guy? Once a crook, always a crook!

Yes, they do not give liquor licenses to felons... Ha, Made the concept of BYOB sound like a marketing thing when all along it was because he could not get a license.

Thanks Kyle! It's not slander when it's true!

Maybe the real problem he had was that he was eating all his profits. Sure looked like it! He did have a well groomed beard, got to give him that!

All I know it was the first place we ate in Highland Park in 1984 and then we went and bought a house on Barberry.

It is sad

TCB

The big problem is that small independent stores are closing right and left with more to come. Very sad for Highland Park. The downtown is starting to look spooky with all the empty spaces.

If you want real hand cut fries and merkt's cheddar cheese, take a small drive up to Winnetka, d's haute dogs is where it's at!

In 66 my boss, joe Onesti told me to go clean out Augie Haaks old auto parts store on 2nd st. Some city guy wanted to make it a hot dog stand
Stash opened a few months later and was a hit
Actually I preferred the dogs at Woolworths.

When it was torn down and moved into the space Urban BBQ is now the magic left
Good try with the move and later with Bistro and Enotecha

The old Stash had a sign inside that I remember
" a monkey a magpie and a wife
The true symbols of strife "

I suppose one could think of many other more modern symbols
But those I will remember from my youth.

Yes the desk table, the shorts in winter and feeling of being watched along with the employees. Inconsistant and awkward communication with the clients. The underlying feeling of dishonesty. due in large part to the feeling that he was ripping off kids and families at the water park too. All these and more helped rip the innocence and charm from the experience there. In the end I blame management from alienating the clients. Not the other way around. Always loved the food, cruddy for me as it was. But even the deepest cravings were driven away by my disdain for the experience, or lack thereof. Good thoughts everyone on all the issues. Support local, fine. But not just because they're local. Got to earn it just like the rest of us. I'd eat Moe's gyros and wings.

I can't decide which is more sad. The closing of an iconic restaurant and the impact on its owners employees and vendors or the attacks levied by the Desperate Housewives of Highland Park. Both reflect poorly on our community. I hope the future brings businesses more success and more sensitive and constructive dialog.

His prices were too high for his mediocre food and he went out of business. That 2nd Street Bistro food was awful. I can't believe he stayed around as long as he did. Must have been all of his "friends" who were eating there.

I am also concerned about the elementary school catering business. (Does that make me a Desperate Housewife Larry Hillman???) He made promises, took money and then closes up. Yes, pretty sad... I highly doubt many will continue to use the catering business when we will all expect him to close up shop with no notice. How can you hire him for an event knowing he could take your money and close up the day before?

What's so sad about a guy who closes his business without notifying anybody and screws WeDeal for $16,000.

I heard that money was used to cover his last payroll checks. I don't know for sure and I'm in no position to judge because I use my own name on my posts!

It's disappointing to see any locally owned business end. HP needs to attract businesses that bring customers toour city...not just restaurants. Odd businesses like Top Driver attracts parents from LF, Glencoe and DF. Many of these parents grocery shop, etc while the kids are in class. It sounds weird but we need people to spend more time doing things on Central and area: working, taking classes, services, living, etc. I've never bought a cupcake, a frozen yogurt (except at Loves) or a raw meal in HP but I would love to buy a pair of jeans for less than $100 or a book that isn't a Rare Title (love this store but can't buy a good beach read there).

Great comment about Top Driver attracting business's. It's a service world these days ... but the City doesn't allow service businesses in most of Downtown. So the popular service stores go elsewhere and take the shoppers they attract with them.

We need a happy endings massage parlor.

Dicky and Steve S,
What's up, It's Moe. Thanks for the support! I think It's a great idea to have bands at "Moes Wing Ding Dingalings and Gyros". In fact, our first band will be yours Dicky paull. Then we will get other bands local bands like "Roger and the Wraybands", "Rally Day", "Stoned Owl", and of course "The Buckleys". Chung Lo, we're not gonna forget about you cause when you fill your punch card with 10 orders of wings or gyros, we will give you a courtesy reach around! Now that's service.

Now that there are two empty restaurant spaces, the city can get up from their knees before the Panera Bread franchisee and not give them an unfair competitive advantage over other restaurants in the same area ( Moderna, Michael's, Bella Via & Ounce Upon A Bagel). The city should stop serving special interests and start serving the needs of the electorate.

I think most of you are missing the point! Stores are leaving Highland Park at a crazy rate. Wake up and smell something! As the stores leave it takes a toll on the tax base. The downtown is anything but vibrant and is NOT attractive to shoppers. If you didn't like Stash's that's one thing, but this is not the place for personal attacks. We should be looking at ways to keep stores in town---use all this energy in a positive way. Until you have owned a small biz and walked in those shoes most of you probably have NO idea what your talking about-----really. As the downtown continues to fade, so does the value of your home if you live here. There are MORE stores closing in town at the end of the year that we know for sure, the big question is---- how many will be closing that we don't even know about yet?

If you had a small pizza place that struggled to stay alive even though the corporate giants could crush you, or you had to borrow pizza boxes from another pizza place cause You ran out and couldn't buy more until you brought money in that night. Does that mean that owned a small restaurant biz, or walked in shoes, or do have an idea? Maybe not. But I can say this, We are so lucky to be in such a great community! The land of milk and honey. I've always said, if you can't make it on the North shore, you can't make it anywhere. A wise old friend used to tell me "Burr, Moe, pigs get fat, and hogs get slaughtered". Too many hogs and not enough pigs I guess. And I don't just mean the business owners, but also the building owners.
I encourage everyone to stop by the Buck tonight, where we will all hold hands and sing kum-bah-yah.
Special thanks to "Little Tommy's Plumbing" who came out and unstopped my clogged drain at no charge because I make him laugh on "the Patch". He's #1 with #2!

Hay Moe it’s Joe, I will be heading up their as soon as I do a few errands, let’s see need to pick-up paint at Inman’s get my new pants at fell’s, then over to Gsell for some aspirin then I might see if Roy could fit me in for a quick cut.

Almost forgot, I need to stop at the Sports Shop and see if Paul Ladurini has any more of those cool sports bags that say Highland Park Little Giants on them.

Sorry to hear this. He is a TERRIC GUY and meant well by trying to give the community something it would like. BUT, is there more of a bigger picture that is taking place? In a relatively short period of time; Saks, Restoration Hardware, Corner Bakery, Stash's, Rosebud, problems with Highland Park Theatre (not physical/building) related, empty stores, etc. .... . We are a community less hit by the recession than many others around the country (shouldn't use as an excuse forever). This is a wonderful and a GREAT GREAT suburb. We need more enthusiasm and energy as this is what Highland Park-ers are all about; we still are a unique and exciting town. When we invite outsiders (friends) here, they love it and compliment where we live. Let's SINCERELY see what problems exist, discuss REALISTICALLY [not for political purposes] and resolve with ideas that will work in keeping fantastic HIGHLAND PARK, IL. - FANTASTIC FOR THE FUTURE.

We are still the highest-taxed suburb on the entire North Shore. The Park District and school districts are relentless in spending our tax dollars, so in fact we are harder hit by recessions in HP than other communities in our region. When the citizens elect public officials committed to more rational fiscal policies then Highland Park commerce will come back, not before.

SO sad Stash's closed. Always went after school at IC. Fries and a rootbeer. Then over to Grant & Grant and The Pharmacy. Sure HP looks nice but there will NEVER be anything like the good old days.
MH