Valentine day sale in paws in paradise!!!!!!!!!!

Mark it down 75% and maybe I can afford one of your doggie sweaters. I loathe the fact that people spend so much money on their pets that stores like yours even exist.

Despite how it looks from the outside, Paws in Paradise isn't one of those pet "boutiques" where you drop $150 on a Juicy Couture collar and leash set for your purse-bound/stroller-walked purebreed. I've only been in to inquire about doggie daycare, but what I saw of their inventory seemed to be comparable to what you find at NYC Pet and the other neighborhood pet stores, albeit a bit lower on food and heavier on other things in the product mix.

Also - only about 1/6 of their space is the "store" area, the rest of their space (two levels plus backyard) is used for daycare/boarding, grooming, or office space. All of which suggests that this place is more positioning itself as a pet care facility, not a doggie clothing boutique. And the people seem nice, down to earth, and pet-loving. If they have a sweater to sell to those who are inclined to buy such things - who cares? The bulk of their business seems to be a worthwhile addition to the neighborhood. What business doesn't sell a few products that are arguably unnecessary?

[quote="OpossumQueen"]I'm not into dog sweaters and such, but the several times I've been in there (to inspect and get tours) make it the top of my list if I have to leave my dog at a daycare. The dogs always seem so relaxed and happy.

I agree with the relaxed atomosphere for boarding but that does not justify selling product with such inflated prices..
If you want dog food try 9th street between 4th and 5th... Mike will be fair and give you a break if you are a steady customer.

been going to 9th St and dealing with Mike for time out of mind. He is
wonderful and has a lot of knowledge on so many subjects. I've fed
3 dogs past, and my present baby now--even tho the name changed to
NYC pets the prices remain competative and reasonable. I'm so glad
Mike is still there, he's a gem.

IsmaelGroomer, I have lived in PS for 30 years and in that time have lived with, fed and groomed four dogs. Two of them are happily still with me. Yes, there have been and are grooming facilities that sell products but there are grooming choices that don't. There is a place for both. I appreciate your willingness to serve the neighborhood on behalf of the business you represent but feel that your posts would be better put in the classified section of Brooklynian.

I can name three local vets who have groomers, Animal Kind, Prospect Park and Dr. Parker on 5th Avenue. I suspect there are more. There have been many discussions here about those groomer choices and others. In my opinion there is a definite advantage to using a groomer connected to the vet you use. I know at Animal Kind the groomer, Anne is a qualified, certified tech as well and she reads the pet's chart before she grooms the pet... and I mean for every grooming.. just in case there is some medical issue that she needs to be aware of since the last grooming. There was one appointment about a month after my dog had been neutered where SHE noticed one of those dissolving stitches had not dissolved and before I picked him up she had come upstairs and had a vet remove the retained stitch. IMO there certainly is an advantage in using a groomer associated with your vet.

As far as pricing on jackets..Mike at NYC has jackets in various price ranges (but no Prada) His expertise on how to care for dogs and cats is based on his experience. He grew up in this business. His advice on what to feed your pet has a lot more behind it than .."Use this food because I sell it." The range of brands and stock is easily 10x what you have in your store. If he needs to "order" a bag a food he is temporarily out of he can make a phone call to a sister store and have it available to you in as little as a half hour... trust me.. he has done this for me more than once. the store provides delivery.

I hope your store finds a clientelle in this neighborhood but no kidding you will have to compete in price and service.