Jordan Kotowski strongly believes that giving back to the community is important for a business.

That’s one of the reasons the owner of Abe’s Hot Dogs in Mountain Top was named the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Eastern Pennsylvania District Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The award was presented May 11 as part of National Small Business Week.

Kotowski was nominated for the award by Kristin Sassi, consultant manager at Wilkes University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC helped the Kotowski with questions and concerns in the opening of the business, licensing a Pennsylvania business, a grand opening event and COVID funds on levels of local, state and federal programs.

“Jordan is an amazing person,” Sassi said of the 23-year-old Kotowski. “He gives back so much to the community. He’s so dedicated to the Mountain Top community.”

Kotowski purchased the business at 315 S. Mountain Blvd. in 2018 and held his grand opening Feb. 1, 2018, at the age of 19. “He’s the youngest business person I’ve ever worked with,” Sassi noted. “He’s a great person. I’m so happy he’s so successful.”

The SBDC manager emphasized Kotowski’s community involvement in her nomination of him for the award.

“Jordan contributes much of his success in the business world to his kindness and community support,” she wrote. “Over the past years Jordan has flourished in the Mountain Top community through his continuous generosity to local organizations, fundraisers, municipality police, fire fighters and other community first responders.”

Sassi also pointed out Abe’s Hot Dog’s business success and contributions to the local economy.

“In addition to community involvement, Abe’s Hot dogs in Mountain Top contributes to the local economic development of the county and state,” she noted. “The business employs one full-time individual and 6 part-time employees.”

Sassi pointed out that Kotowski is one of the youngest individuals she has worked with who successfully purchased a small business and grew it sales over the years. She noted 2020 was difficult year but Abe’s Hot Dogs number of employees remained constant which can be considered a huge accomplishment for the restaurant industry during the pandemic.

For his part, community involvement is something that is very important to Kotowski.

“I feel it is most important to give back to the community,” the Crestwood High School graduate offered. “If it weren’t for the community, this place wouldn’t be here.

“This is the best community I’ve ever been part of.”

Kotowski pointed out he didn’t seek out the award. “If it weren’t for her (Sassi), I wouldn’t have known about it. I don’t focus on awards,” he said.

He was also was quick to credit his employees for the success of his business. “This is a team award,” he emphasized. He also expressed his gratitude to the Wilkes SBDC for its help. “They were here at the beginning and helped us through COVID,” he noted.

In the four years Kotowski has owned Abe’s Hot Dogs, the business has been a visible part of the Mountain Top community as well as the Wyoming Valley. He donated the proceeds from a hot dog eating contests to the Think Pink Cancer Foundation, the Sunshine Foundation and the Lustgarten Foundation, a foundation which conducts pancreatic cancer research. He also has raised money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center.

In addition, some of the events and organizations the young businessman has made donations to include the Mountain Top Little League and the Wright Township dog park, Crestwood High School Hoops for Hope, Luzerne County Children’s Advocacy Center, Mountain Top Food Bank, Make-a-Wish, Crestwood football and basketball booster clubs, Rice Township Recreation Board, Luzerne County SPCA, Crestwood Key Club and the Mountain Top Food Bank.

He has been a generous supporter of municipal police, fire fighters and other community first responders. In 2020, he bought a pop-shield for Wright Township Police Department. When he was faced with shutting down his restaurant due to COVID, Kotowski grilled hundreds of hot dogs and personally delivered them to health care providers throughout Mountain Top as well as first responders.

Most recently, he organized a greeting card and gift card drive for veterans who are patients or use the services of the local VA Medical Center. The drive resulted in over 1,000 hand-made cards and over $1,000 in gift cards sent to the veterans. “There shouldn’t be just one day (Veterans Day) to remember our veterans,” Kotowski said. “It’s important to pay attention to them every day, not just Nov. 11.”

Kotowski is looking forward to continued growth of his business. He recently expanded his hours during weekdays and weekends in anticipation of increased business when Malacari’s miniature golf course opens. The golf course will be located immediately behind and alongside his restaurant.

“Malacari’s have done a great job. They are great people to work with,” he said of his neighbors.

Kotowski also has added a hot dog trailer to his business. The trailer allows him to participate in community events such as the recent Food Truck Frenzy at Crestwood High School. It also gives him the ability to cater events at homes, offices and businesses with a full menu.