Double-decker Denton restaurant seeks name through $100 contest

by Katherine Grivna of North Texas Daily

Owner Dave Wilson wants UNT students to have a connection to the restaurant "so it can be a part of Denton."

Dave Wilson, from Yorkshire, England, said he is tired of working for other people.

Eight years ago, he had an idea for starting his own business, and now, he is looking for some creative NT students to help him name it.

The winner will receive $100.

Wilson, a 15-year Denton resident, said he bought a double-decker bus and is renovating it into a restaurant. He plans to sell fish and chips, scotch eggs and fish cakes - all English-style.

Wilson said he could name his business himself, but he wants UNT students to have a connection to the restaurant "so it can be a part of Denton."

Built in 1961, the London bus is 14.5 feet tall. After buying the bus last year in Houston, Wilson has worked every day for a year to rebuild much of the bus, including installing new brakes and plumbing.

Now, it is drivable and runs environmentally green, complete with biodiesel fuel. He also plans to serve food on butcher paper to create less waste for the environment.

"Green is what I like," he said. "Environmentally green is the way to go."

The first story of the bus is the kitchen, complete with fryers big enough to cook 3,000 meals a day and a walk-up window where students will place their orders.

"I had all these ideas, and I knew it could be done," he said.

The bus, which Wilson said is 80 percent complete, will have tables, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV on the second level, where he hopes people will hang out.

"I want kids to know that this is going to be fun," he said.

The outside of the London bus is currently green but will soon have a Beatles theme.

Wilson said food prices will be in line with fast-food prices.

"I like to be different from everyone else," Wilson said. "This bus is definitely different."

Wilson also installed slots on the side of the bus for patrons to donate money to the Fallen Policemen and Firemen of Denton and the Denton Animal Shelter.

Because tips are not expected in Great Britain, Wilson said he does not expect tips and would rather people donate to the two charities.

"I think it's the right thing to do," he said. "I'm that kind of guy where I'm doing this for fun, and I'm going to enjoy it."

Wilson said he soon plans to work with NT on finding a place to park the bus and wants students to know where and when he will be parked so his business can become a household name in Denton.

"This isn't just a hot dog stand. It is more than that," he said. "It's a historical bus. You won't find any more of them anywhere, and we have one in Denton."

Wilson also has security lights and cameras installed in and around the bus, which is bulletproof.

"I feel safer in there than I would be in a 7-Eleven," he said.

History senior Stacey Kniatt said she likes the concept of Wilson's British restaurant and would eat there.

"I love British food," she said. "I would want to support the ingenuity and independence of it, too."

Wilson said he expects the renovations to be complete in six months and hopes to be open for business on June 1.

For more information on the "Name My Bus" contest, visit myspace.com/namemybuscontest.

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