Pet boutiques have different meaning in big cities

By Lexi Ostrow
12/10/10

Outside of a big city, people tend to see pet boutiques as overpriced and stupid, but inside one, like Boston, pet owners appreciate and love the services they get from them.

The difference between a pet boutique and a pet store is in the products they sell. Pet boutiques are known for selling pampering items -like castle-shaped dog beds and over-the-top shaped food dishes. Pet stores are known for selling more practical items as well as pets.

"I think they're stupid and high-end stores that don't even sell pets," said Jo'D Davison, a Nevadan. "They don't even sell animals and want me to pay $50 for a leash,. It's ridiculous."

Andreja Dabsys, a Californian, also thinks the boutiques in her area are not needed. "I think they're stupid. It's a pet not a person. They don't need bejeweled bowls or cute outfits to wear."

Then there are others, like Kurt Figueroa from New Mexico,  who think the stores themselves are fine but believe their customers waste money. "The stores are dumb, yes," he said, "but it's the people who shop there that are dumb to me."

Yet in Boston the pet boutiques sell more than just frilly costumes and jeweled dog bowls. They provide necessary services, like food delivery and grooming, for people who cannot get to the larger chain stores because they don't have a car.

 
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"I prefer small shops for things. It does depend on what I'm looking for and I do dress my rat terrier up all the time, too," said Killian Duarte, an Allston resident.

Duarte said he does like to dress his dog up and do photo shoots and the boutiques are perfect for that. However, he said the boutiques also provide information to help him be a better owner, not just accessories.

Jennifer Kirkpatrick, Boston resident, said she loves to shop in the boutiques. Her dog  Samantha has accessories from collars and coats to keep her warm that we bought from boutiques. She likes the other services boutiques provide as well but currently goes to her vet for food and baths because of her pet's age. She said she would use the boutiques services if her dog wasn't so old.

"Because my dog is small she requires clothing and they have better selections than pet stores," said Kirkpatrick.

Owners of the pet boutiques in the city also think the reputation behind the stores is unfair and not necessarily applicable to their store.

Pet boutiques can be found all over Boston. Some are merely stores where owners can buy specially made dog baked goods and collars. Others offer services to their customers aside from the shopping.

Four Preppy Paws is one boutique that looks like traditional boutique. It has a wall of designer collars and leashes, a special dog bakery - treats from Polka Dog in the South End- and a Christmas Tree with dog goodies hanging off of it. It even does dog parties at the Liberty Hotel on Wednesdays and holiday events like pictures with Santa.

Melissa Schuler, a salesperson, said that the store does have a partner property called Dogwood Cottage in Melrose that offers pet care. Despite being a stereotypical boutique Schuler feels the shop offers a different service than pet stores.

"We're more knowledgeable about raising dogs in the city and everything in the store has been tried out by us so we can give better answers," said Schuler.

 The store does carry dog food but does not have a big calling for it and makes the majority of its money on the baked goods and handmade collars and leashes.

Schuler thinks the biggest thing that Four Preppy Paws has to offer its customers is "more of a personal touch." She has also heard from customers who think the store carries better products.

Fish and Bone in the Back Bay is another one that is strictly oriented to selling food and accessories. Owner Kathy Palmer said she feels her boutique offers customers something that pet stores do not; employees who know the stores customers personally.

"We're able to get to know people better. If a husband comes in we're able to tell him what his wife normally buys, a pet store can't do that," said Palmer.

At her shop, Palmer said the goal is to build a relationship with the customer so that they can best be served. She also hears customers saying how much they enjoy the knowledge and convenience offered, since the boutique does sell food, even though it's not a big seller.

Danielle Dwor, manager at the Everett Petsmart, said she feels her store's staff gives just as much of a homey feel to its customers as the boutiques. She also said the big stores have some advantages over the boutiques. "We have stuff in larger quantities so we can serve more people," said Dwor.

Mark Anascasi , the manager of the Petco in Cambridge, said he thinks the comments from Boston residents about boutiques being more convenient and more personal are "legitimate." Also, he noted his store doesn't see many Boston residents because his store is not as easy to get to.

"However, we focus on creating a homey feel and training our staff to help with all questions," he said.

Pawsh Dog Boutique and Salon is a store with a bit of a different approach to the traditional pet boutique. While it sells top quality accessories and a ton of coats in the winter, it also offers dog grooming.

Pawsh recently won Boston's Best for pet supplies in 2010 from Boston Magazine and owner Nancy Maida was happy that the two-year-old store is so well liked.

Pawsh's Maida said customers appreciate an accessible location. "The ability to walk here is huge because before us there was no where people could walk to for these things," said Maida. The store is the only grooming location in the Back Bay and it is where they see the most customers.

Alexia Alexander was at Audrey's Pet Supply and Boutique where owner Brittany Bang, was helping her figure out if her guinea pig needed a ball to roll around in.

Alexander had just purchased a Halloween costume for her dog as well. She just happened into Audrey's while walking by but said she would come back.

Audrey's is a bit different than the other stores in the city, Bang said. Her store is not a pet boutique but a six-month-old pet store in the city. Her store carries food for all kinds of pets as well as needed accessories but nothing that could be viewed as over the top. She also offers dog walking, house check-ups and the shops biggest asset, food delivery.

"There are fabulous pet boutiques out there but we're not one of them," said Bang. "This store is for the everyday pet owner who has been frustrated by the lack of things in the city."

 In Boston, pet owners can choose among a range of places to satisfy a range of their pet needs.