The old adages are plentiful: "when life gives you scraps, make quilts," or "when life hands you a lemon, make lemonade."
And while the economy has gone to the dogs in the last 18 months, some smart, local entrepreneurs have followed that exact trend, with a decidedly more rosy outcome.
The pet supply industry has rocketed in sales from $17-billion in 1994 to over $40-billion in 2007, making it larger than even toy sales, according to statistics gathered by firstresearch.com, a manufacturing data compilation website.
Carole Newell, owner of Samantha’s Café & Catering in Glens Falls, recognized the trend more than a decade ago, when she began making and selling "Toby Treats," a hand-crafted dog biscuit named after her beloved pooch.
"I made them, initially, just for him, and he loved them so much that I made a few extra and put them out for customers," recalled Newell, who has owned her business for 24 years. "They were snapped up in an instant, and I realized that pet owners wanted healthy, additive-free treats just like I did."
This year, Newell published a book of her prized recipes in a unique format. Titled "The Caterer and the Canine," the book includes 60 of her most popular recipes, and begins each food section with the story of her 17-year journey with Toby by her side.
Samantha’s Café and Catering is open Mon-Fri from 8:30 am to 3pm. Their products are also for sale at the Glens Falls Farmer’s Market, held Saturdays year-round.
In Ballston Spa, Keith and Amy Augustine started The Lazy Dog Cookie Company, a "from the kitchen" business in 2001, as Amy, a microbiologist, created dog treats originally just for co-workers.
"Then she went on to sell them at farmers’ markets, pet stores and pet boutiques," said Keith Augustine. "One thing led to another, and now we have a 4,000 square-foot manufacturing facility, and are selling our product in every state and internationally."
Two years ago, Keith quit his job in corporate sales for Heinz Ketchup, a position he’d held for more than 10 years, to concentrate on the business full time.
"Our products are environmentally friendly and earth conscious, aside from being healthy," he said. "All our treats are completely vegetarian, and we make cookies like tart cherry, which provides hip and joint support, or blueberry, which offers anti-oxidant properties."
A swing to the north takes you to Paw Lickers in Greenfield Center, a pet bakery and boutique owned by Marianne Gage and her son David. The pair, in business for the past eight years, specialize in non-meat, all fruit and vegetable treats, as well as "toys" and specialized equipment.
"We also manufacture our own walking harness and collars, sewn by a company in Amsterdam," said Marianne Gage. "The harness alleviates stress on the trachea because the breast piece stays down on the chest."
Paw Lickers also features the "mind games" created by Nina Ottosson of Sweden, which challenge dogs and cats to use their brain skills, and have taken the pet world by storm, as well as high-end dog and cat food.
"It can be a little expensive, but a lot of people don’t realize just how important quality food is for their pets," she added.
Open every day except Sunday, Paw Lickers also encourages "friendly dogs on a leash," to explore their store.
At 441A Broadway, in the heart of Saratoga Springs, Sara Ellis celebrates everything "doggy" at her store, Dawgdom. Her journey began as the result of a needy dog and her quest to help him.
"All our dogs are rescue dogs," said Sara, who added that her "pack" usually consists of three to four dogs at a time. "We had Jack, who was sick, and then had an amputation. We needed to find halters, harnesses, even maybe a dog wheelchair to help him, but there weren’t any resources in the community."
Starting, and operating the store, has been a dream come true, she added, as she began to discover all the other local options in a loose network of dog-lovers.
"We stock things like collars that are made, in the USA, out of all bamboo products," Sara said, "and sleeping beds, made out of memory foam from Vermont. We also have items from Lazy Dog Cookie company and Paw Lickers. We also have handmade scrapbooks made locally and specialty harnesses.”
There’s even jewelry products for pets and their people from Sandy and Co. She is a local jeweler who makes dog tags and even many beautiful "people products" for dog lovers, all in Sterling Silver, or they can be special ordered in gold. Hand-made sweaters, knitted by a local woman, as well as walking leashes, toys and novelties for the dog lover on anyone’s gift list, fill out the inventory.
"I think the nicest part of owning my store is finding so many local products, and becoming friends with the people who make them," she said.
Dawgdom is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 11-6.
Across the street at 365 Broadway, Impressions of Saratoga has been heavily involved in the local community. Owners, Marianne and Dave Barker believe very strongly in taking advantage of what’s in their own backyard before going out on a search for employees, products to sell, supplies for their many businesses over the years, banking, insurance… just about everything they need to run the business. If they can’t find it in Saratoga County, they at least try to stay within the USA borders.
The shop, which primarily focuses on Saratoga souvenirs and anything to do with horses, also has a pretty extensive selection of pet related gifts, treats and supplies. “Most horse people have other pets as well so years ago we started offering treats and water from a tall dish outside the shop for those out strolling with their dogs,” said Marianne. “Then we began taking photo’s of their visiting dogs to post on our “Wall of Fame”.
Gradually treats for sale were added, starting with Pawlickers, made in Greenfield Center, NY, Wagatha’s made in Manchester VT. My Kitty and My Doggy treats made in Phoenix, NY and most recently they added biscuits from The Bread Basket in Saratoga Springs. There’s even a treat making kit, made in Rutland, VT that comes complete with treat mix and two sizes of biscuit cookies cutters. They found a reusable stainless steel water bottle with a special roller ball top that releases water as the pet licks it.
When their dogs, Raleigh & Bailey (the dog for whom Bailey’s Café was named) needed new collars, they brought in a line from a “Yellow Snow” in New Hampshire and will soon be offering the exclusive “Saratoga” Leash and collar made especially for them in Virginia.
Impressions started a Tote Bag Tuesday program last year when they celebrated their 30th anniversary by giving away 1500 Impressions tote bags and offering a 10% discount on your purchases every Tuesday, year round. They will be offering the 2nd edition of a reusable tote after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Impressions of Saratoga is open daily.
