SHAKE-N-DOG ribbon cutting celebrates new ownership of Leominster eatery

LEOMINSTER — Husband and wife business partners Ildison and Kenia Vale were beaming with pride on Tuesday morning at the ribbon-cutting ceremony held to celebrate them taking over as the new owners of Shake-N-Dog.

“The dream becomes love,” said Ildison, who goes by “Val,” of their family-run business that features 16 hot dog varieties, over a dozen milkshake flavors, and other items including burgers.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday morning at Leominster eatery SHAKE-N-DOG to celebrate new ownership. (L. to r.) Small Business Development Coordinator Melissa Tasca, Mayor Dean Mazzarella, husband and wife co-owners Ildison and Kenia Vale, and restaurant staff member Beatrice Da Silva. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday morning at Leominster eatery SHAKE-N-DOG to celebrate new ownership. (L. to r.) Small Business Development Coordinator Melissa Tasca, Mayor Dean Mazzarella, husband and wife co-owners Ildison and Kenia Vale, and restaurant staff member Beatrice Da Silva. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

“It’s an art, not just a milkshake,” Val Vale said, adding that two of their best-sellers are the Tropical Acai with fresh fruit on top and Chocolate Lovers with brownie bits and chocolate sauce.

The 655 N. Main St. eatery has been vacant for a while. The couple upgraded the restaurant and menu after taking the keys to the place on March 1, adding Boston sports and other memorabilia and signs hanging on the walls.

“We wanted to bring a little touch of Boston here in Leominster,” Vale said, adding that they advertise on local WPKZ 105.3 FM/1280 AM during Red Sox games.

“You’ve done a beautiful job in here,” said Mayor Dean Mazzarella, who attended the ribbon-cutting along with other City Hall staff and Shake-N-Dog team member Beatrice Da Silva, who Vale said has “been with us from the beginning.”

Vale has 15 years of food and beverage industry experience under his belt including long stints at Not Your Average Joe’s as a corporate trainer and executive chef at The Cheesecake Factory and Legal Seafoods. It’s been a dream of his for a long time to open a family business and “bring taste and love with our culinary experience.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday morning at SHAKE-N-DOG to celebrate new ownership of the Leominster eatery that features a wide variety of hot dogs and milkshakes. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

The couple lives in Ayer “but we are here all the time” Kenia Vale said. They plan to donate a portion of their sales to charitable organizations such as causes that focus on kids with autism.

“It’s all about the community and the people,” Val Vale said. “We want everyone to enjoy.”

Customers can dine in or take out, and credit cards are now accepted at the restaurant, a payment option Val Vale said is “more convenient” for most people versus cash. They expanded the hours, which now go from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday, and they have been “consistently busy.” Delivery through Grubhub and DoorDash is available. For more information call 978-230-7977, visit www.shakendogs.com and follow Shake-N-Dog on Facebook and Instagram.