Dog shop opens new Stone store after a ruff 12 months

Author: Jon Cook
Published: 9th September, 2022 @ 18:09
Updated: 9th September, 2022

On Saturday, 10th September, Purely Dogs will re-open in a new home in Stone following a devastating fire last year at their Slater’s Shopping Village location.

Stone residents Carole Stone (apt last name) and Sam Campbell set up Purely Dogs in 2018. After experiencing great support and growth, their world came crashing down when a fire at Slater’s Shopping Village made their unit unsafe and unable to re-open.

We spoke to the Stone duo to hear about their business journey and their shop move to Stone. Carole told A Little Bit of Stone:

“Sam and I are both dog lovers, and the idea for the shop was dreamed about on our dog walks together on the Downs Banks.

In 2017, when the charity that I was working for lost its funding, I was looking at my future and asked Sam if she would like to set up in business.

Neither of us had owned our own business before, but despite our husband’s doubts, they agreed to support us in our venture.

We both wanted to offer people and their dogs a different shopping experience, selling only products that were healthy and good for dogs, and from that, Purely Dogs was born!”

Carole went on to explain how the pair got started and how the business faired during the pandemic:

“At the start of 2018, we found a vacant unit at Slater’s Shopping Village, along the A51.

We fitted it out, and Purely Dogs opened to the public in March 2018.

We had a successful first year and expanded the shop to include freezers for raw dog food.

Because of the pandemic, 2020 was a challenging year, with all the other shops at Slater’s having to close for lockdowns. Thankfully, we were able to offer a collection and delivery service so that dogs could still be fed!!

In all honesty, we struggled through the pandemic, but 2021 saw our business rebuilding and going from strength to strength. We bought a van to increase our delivery capability and took on a new member of staff.”

With things looking up and the future looking bright, the team were hopeful for what lay ahead. But unfortunately, a blow was around the corner at the end of 2021 when the pair received a distressing call in the middle of the night. Carole explained:

“On Friday 26th November 2021, we were woken in the early hours by a phone call from our landlord. He told us that there was a serious fire in the restaurant on site.

However, although the fire was retained in the restaurant unit, the whole shopping village was affected by smoke, and the building was declared unsafe.

Our shop had to close, and we couldn’t access it at all.

This was a devastating blow, running up to our busiest time of year, with a shop full of Christmas stock and being unable to sell any of it.

We hastily bought a small amount of stock and with thanks to the kind people at Maer Village Hall, we were able to set up some pop-up shops through December to sell some Christmas toys and goodies.

Nine months later and the shops at Slater’s are still not open as the building has not yet been repaired. It was time to look around for somewhere new.”

With housing and businesses, the key is still location, location, location, and it was this that drove the decision to bring the business into Stone.

“After months of searching for the right place to move to, we found a suitable unit at the Whitebridge Industrial Estate.

We had looked at several High Street locations, but they were just not right – our customers need to be able to park near to the shop, to take large bags of dog food straight out to their cars. We have regular pallet deliveries and so needed somewhere accessible for those too.”

With the new premises sorted, we asked the pair about what customers could expect if they hadn’t visited them before:

“When people visit our shop, they will find a treasure trove for dogs. From food and treats to toys and coats and everything in between.

We are not a traditional pet shop – we are Purely Dogs – and we only stock things that we would give our own dogs.

With nutritional training and years of dog ownership, we will provide information and advice on feeding and training. We have links with local dog trainers who recommend our products to their clients.

We are so excited to get back open, all our existing customers can’t wait to come and see us again, and we are looking forward to welcoming all the dog lovers of Stone.”

Purely Dogs are opening on Saturday 10th September, with celebration cakes and dog goodies. There will also be special offers for the opening weekend.