Tiffin man makes sandwiches out of lemons

From the Advertiser-Tribune February 1, 2009

When life gave Rick Frederick lemons, he made hot dogs and chicken sandwiches.

Every day Columbian High School is in session, the Tiffin resident cooks up hot sandwiches and sells other munchies during students' lunch session. He had tried operating a cart earlier and the current cart started around the time he was laid off from American Standard about a year ago.

"We have some really good kids in this school," he said.

Frederick, a 1971 Columbian graduate, serves students who leave school for lunch and also offers a drive-through service.

"It's a relatively recession-free business," he said. "It's something that's doable in hard times (with) low overhead. Of course, there's fees and licenses and things like that you have to take care of, but it's a relatively low-overhead business."

Frederick said he is not getting rich from the stand and never will be a millionaire, but he always has money in his pocket.

He said he sells about 40-50 hot dogs per day. His cart, which he found on eBay, sells hot chicken sandwiches for $2 and hot dogs for $1.50. Chips and pretzels are 75 cents, and he offers meal deals. The cart is equipped with typical condiments - ketchup, mustard, onions and relish - along with candy bars, soda, suckers and water.

"I have good prices," he said. "I'm competitive with school lunches, and I like to think there's enough kids to go around, I really do. I mean, there's a thousand kids here."

During the lunch hour, Frederick's cart is located on the sidewalk in front of the school, and he said he sets up his cart 11 a.m.-1 p.m. every school day.

"If the school's here, I'm here. I tell the kids, 'If you're here, I'm here, but if there's a snow day, I'm staying home.' They love it," he said.

Frederick also has an antique hit-and-miss engine to make homemade ice cream and travels to the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival and flea markets. He runs Rick's Homemade Ice Cream in addition to his lunch cart.

"That's what got me started in concessions," he said about making ice cream.

Frederick was laid off from American Standard after he had worked there for 36 years. He said he had worked in manufacturing for his entire career and was a caster, mold maker and case maker. He started his current stand when he was laid off.

Sophomore Jesse King, who usually purchases a hot dog, chips and soda, said he stops by the stand almost every day.

"It's easy, quick," he said. "It's pretty tasty, cheap."

Senior Scott Stephens said he has known Frederick since he played E League baseball and Frederick coached his team. He said he tries to come to the cart every day and likes the hot dogs better than school food.

"Best chicken sandwich in town, that's my reason (for coming)," said senior Josh Morlock. "Hands down, best chicken sandwich in town. ... He won't give out the recipe, he won't, so it's his recipe. It's really delicious."

Frederick said he thinks the secret to being a good salesman is providing a quality product at a price people can afford.

"The world will lead a path to your door," he said.