Woodbury residents create a hangout for dogs and owners

Three years ago, Woodbury resident Michelle Latulippe-Garcez was a stay-at-home mom who had just brought home the family's first dog, a golden retriever named Triscuit.

At the Mall of America, she "fell in love" with the concept of a gourmet dog treats kiosk, called Just Dogs Gourmet. She did market research, put together a business plan and purchased a franchise herself this year.

Latulippe-Garcez co-owns the store with her husband, Ubiratan Garcez, in the City Walk shops at Woodbury Drive and Hudson Road. Open since May, it sells an array of dog treats made with natural ingredients at a bakery in Pennsylvania.

"We thought Woodbury has a demand for it. A lot of people in Woodbury have dogs," she said. "Not only do they have dogs, but they're kind of more pampered pooch people."

Latulippe-Garcez credits part of their success to the resources available to small-business owners. She worked with the St. Paul chapter of SCORE, a national small-business counseling organization, to put together her business plan.

They also worked with a local banker to apply for a Small Business Administration loan for up to $87,000 to help start the business.

Latulippe-Garcez said their timing in opening the business had its pros and cons. "Because the economy is so slow and has its ups and downs, retail commercial space available here in Woodbury is plentiful," she said. Negotiating the lease was much easier than it had been when they first started looking at spaces in 2007, Latulippe-Garcez said. At that time, rent was higher and lease terms were much longer.

On the other hand, right now, "people are a little more careful of what they spend their money on," she said. Items considered luxuries have been hit the hardest in retail sales since the economy tanked.

Garcez said the company lets franchise owners set their own price ranges. A pound of the treats starts at $9.99. They also sell "birthday cakes" for dogs and mixed gift boxes, along with dog toys and apparel.

Latulippe-Garcez said they have tried to make the store a place for dog owners to bring their pets and socialize. In the summer, they held "Yappy Hour" in the evenings and they are considering bringing in a vet tech occasionally to clip nails.

The couple also got special permission from the company to add a dog-washing station after they saw one featured at a car wash. On average, they sell about 24 to 26 washes a week.

"People don't wash their dogs enough," Latulippe-Garcez said. "It's just too expensive or it's too labor-intensive."

The washing station is popular with owners of large dogs, she said, because of the cost of taking a large dog to a groomer. The store's record is a 168-pound dog.

They've also seen hunters come straight to the store from their outings so they could bring a clean dog home.

The store has a partnership with Oakdale-based CoCo's Heart Rescue, a local animal rescue organization. A couple of times a year, the rescue staff brings in a few animals -- mostly dogs and puppies, plus some kittens -- for a community adoption day.

"Our goal is to educate people and give back to the community," Latulippe-Garcez said.

Emma L. Carew • 651-735-9749