New Stone canal-side doggy cafe, The Hound Lounge & Barkery, is opening shortly – we caught up with owners to hear about their exciting plans.
[box type=”info” align=”alignleft” class=”” width=””]Updated 13th April – In line with the lifting of Government restrictions Hound Lounge & Barkery will be opening from the 17th May 2021[/box]
Local couple Leanne and Kane are no strangers to running a business in Stone, as they run Custom Bicycles Stone which recently moved from Radford Street to the old Stone Chandlery – at the boat yard on Newcastle Road.
Alongside the move of the bike shop, the new canal-side building provided enough space to realise a childhood dream, to open up a dog cafe!
Leanne explained her idea for opening a dog cafe:
“After leaving work temporarily to raise our daughter, I decided now was the time to start on a dream that I’d had since I was 8 years old; to open a dog cafe!
As well as adding to my ever-growing herd of animals, I have been working very hard on developing new cupcake recipes and tasty treats for humans and their hounds. From the tiniest details to the last finishing touch, I’ve spent countless days and months making sure that everything is perfect for my customers.
The Hound Lounge & Barkery is going to be a fun and safe environment for everyone to visit.”
Leanne went on to tell us about what made her choose Stone as the destination for The Hound Lounge & Barkery as well as the specific building they’re moving into.:
“I chose to open my business in Stone because its where I’ve always loved and it’s a lovely small town that I know inside out.
I know a lot of people in stone and surrounding areas have dogs which therefore gives me a lot of customer potential right on my doorstep.
We chose to open our shops on the boat yard because it’s out of the way in a calm environment, away from direct noisy traffic and on the canal front, a major walking and biking route for a large majority of people (and pups) in Stone and the surrounding area.”
Stone already has Charlie’s Cat Cafe, the couple explain more about their dog cafe concept:
“We think that what would best describe the business is a cafe that’s all about your dog!
We will offer a fun yet relaxing environment for humans and hounds with dog-friendly food and drink on the hound menu and tasty snacks and beverages for their owners on the human menu.
With pup parties on the way and lots of clubs and events to come, this will be the place that you think of when it comes treating your best four-legged friend.
We will also have a small shop with a selection of dog clothes, accessories, and handmade collars, leads and bows from our new partner, Franktastic Dog!”
For businesses to survive they often rely on a USP – Unique Selling Point – Leanne explains what will make The Hound Lounge & Barkery stand out in Stone.
“We will be very different to the other business in and around Stone because there’s no cafe like ours!
Our new cafe, as said earlier, will have a shop in too, and later on in the year we will be selling homemade fresh dog food too!”
The Hound Lounge & Barkery will be open 6 days a week, with times to be confirmed when they have confirmed an opening date.
[box type=”info” align=”alignleft” class=”” width=””]Updated 13th April – In line with the lifting of Government restrictions Hound Lounge & Barkery will be opening from the 17th May 2021[/box]
Speaking of the opening, there will be a grand opening after lockdown, and they will be having a pawty!
The planned opening day isn’t yet confirmed, however, Leanne did say that it’s in the near future. When we know a bit more about the current coronavirus situation, they will be able to give clearer estimated opening date.
At the opening, there will be a free treat to all customers that come to seem them in their first week to say a thank you for their support.
You can follow their updates as they prepare to open via their Facebook page, where you can also send them messages – https://www.facebook.com/houndloungebarkery
1 comment
Jill wood
What a smashing idea well done x