A Northern Michigan Bakery is Going to the Dogs
You might say it's a business gone to the dogs, but the owners say it's that business that's actually been pretty steady.
D.O.G. Bakery in downtown Traverse City makes everything from fresh baked all natural dog treats to even dog ice cream!
The shop is the feature of this Made with Michigan Hands Report.
When you walk into most bakeries sweet treats like cookies and cakes line the shelves.
It's pretty much like that here at D.O.G. Bakery, except there's a twist.
Owner Karry Barolo says, "We have fresh baked all natural dog treats. We bake them right in our bakery. They're baked fresh every day."
That's right, cakes, decorated treats all for the dogs!
It's a business that owner Kerry Barolo and her husband started six years ago.
Barolo says, "We decided that we wanted to do something together and we also decided we wanted to do something we love and we love our dogs."
They loved their dogs so much; they even named the store, D.O.G. or Daisy and Oscar's Gourmet in honor of their pets.
Barolo says, "The main focus is to make and create wonderful treats. But we do also take care of the other needs dogs would have, such as their toys, collars, leashes, gear food."
Besides homemade treats for man's best friend, the business is also having an economic impact.
Barolo says, "We use local ingredients such as cherries, honey, blueberries, cherry concentrate, and eggs. Anything we can use that's local we do and open to new ones. We have become a destination for travelers that come to our area and then take our products with them so another market for the local area."
And you might be surprised to know, the customers seem to enjoy these sweet ingredients.
Barolo says, "Dogs have a sweet tooth and when you can add those sweet products like cherry and cherry juice, they love it. People can bring their dogs in and it's a fun event for the entire family. Business has been good and we can feel we're fortunate that in a down economy we can stay here and do what we love."
Now, you might be wondering like I was, can people eat these treats too? Or is strictly a "dog's world" inside D.O.G.?
Barolo says, "Everything we have is edible for people, our oatmeal soft-bites are very much like an oatmeal cookie, fabulous tasting right out of the oven. I personally stay away from the liver treats, but the dogs are great fans, absolutely by all means feel free. You may end up chasing a car or two but they won't hurt you!"
D.O.G. Bakery is located on West Front Street in downtown Traverse City.
They make fresh dog treats every single day.
