Der Wunder Wiener Comeback Falling Into Place In Berkeley

BERKELEY, N.J. — Every time Jerry LaCrosse sees someone, the owner gets the same questions about der Wunder Wiener. Are you going to open? Will you please reopen? When are you going to reopen?

It's been almost a year since a vehicle slammed into the landmark hot dog stand off Route 9, severely injuring him. He and his wife Beverly knew, no matter what, no matter how, they needed a comeback.

"My wife and I decided," LaCrosse said, "if just those people who showed so much support for us during my time of injury and discomfort — just to say ‘thank you,’ I’ll open up the place."

They know they'll reopen. Now it's a matter of when and where. LaCrosse, who also serves as a Beachwood Council member, said he hopes to reopen the eatery by mid- to late October. He doesn't know exactly where they'll relocate, but LaCrosse said they'll put it further from the highway.

For good reason.

On the morning of June 11, LaCrosse sustained severe injuries when an SUV left Route 9 in Bayville, took down a utility pole and plowed into the building, police said. The collision pinned him under the building. LaCrosse, now 75, underwent several surgeries for internal bleeding. Read more: Vehicle Plows Into Berkeley's Der Wunder Weiner, Owner Airlifted

The accident destroyed three of the four tendons in LaCrosse's shoulder, leaving his shoulder immobile. After six months in a sling, LaCrosse underwent surgery to receive a prosthetic shoulder in January.

Six weeks after surgery, he met with his surgeons. LaCrosse faced another obstacle. His surgeons said the prosthesis broke, and he needed the same operation again. He has continued physical therapy since.

"It’s going to take it a long time for it to get back to anywhere near semblance or normalcy," LaCrosse said.

But LaCrosse's livelihood inches closer to normalcy each day. The community raised money through fundraisers and a GoFundMe. He worked closely with Berkeley Township Administrator John Camera to put der Wunder Wiener's pieces back together.

Like the community, Berkeley's administration has been supportive of the business's comeback. But the timeline remains uncertain. LaCrosse said Camera is also rehabilitating from an accident.

"I don’t know when we’re going to be able to get together," LaCrosse said. "...His recovery is more important to me right now than reopening."

But LaCrosse wants everyone to know der Wunder Wiener will rise again. He describes each person who's approached him and asked about the eatery as "seeing a long-long cousin," who's excited to see you.

Each person who asks is another reminder: Berkeley isn't the same without der Wunder Wiener.

"I will get it done," LaCrosse said. "We’re going to open it up again somehow, somewhere."

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