Nobody should have to choose between walking the dog or grabbing a cup of freshly brewed coffee when they are short on time. And, with a little bit of homework, they might not have to, as more pet friendly coffee shops are putting out the pets welcome sign.
In Las Vegas, one of Downtown Summerlin‘s best-known pet friendly stops is Makers & Finders, a cafe-coffee shop concept infused with an authentic Latin American vibe. Of course, the pet friendly concept didn’t start in Summerlin. Makers & Finders first made its mark in the Downtown Arts District.
“We love our pups! We intended to make Makers & Finders pet-friendly from the beginning,” says family owner Josh Molina. “As a bustling and energetic cafe, it fit very well. It creates a fun and familial environment that stimulates dialogue and makes people feel like part of a family.”
Family has always been important to Molina. Shortly after graduating from UNLV in 2010, he set out to create a food/beverage concept featuring Latin American dishes he has loved for a lifetime. The result is a vibrant, upbeat restaurant-coffee-bar where specialty coffee and culture became family pillars‚ first in the Downtown Las Vegas and then later in Downtown Summerlin and Henderson.
“All of our locations are pet friendly coffee shops, and we take great pride in promoting them as such,” said Molina. “We even built a brand new covered patio at our newest Henderson location from scratch, all to continue this part of our concept.”
The pet-friendly promise goes beyond patio seating and winter heat lamps. Makers & Finders has a secret menu item just for pups! It’s a puppy-sized portion of whipped cream in a cup, affectionately called a “Puppuccino.”
“We also train our service staff to bring the dogs water along with their owners’ water automatically,” says Molina. “It’s a gesture that makes a difference when they do not have to ask for it. We’ve even seen turtles, piglets, and snakes stop by our patio.”
Attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed. In fact, Mark Pannebecker felt the same way when he opened Spine Indie Bookstore & Cafe near Benton Park in St. Louis.
“I love dogs, and the Benton Park neighborhood loves dogs,” says Pannebecker. “So, inside, I offer pup cups for $1. The dogs really love them.”
Outside, Pannebecker also maintains a fresh bowl of water for passersby. Pet owners and dog walkers appreciate the gesture, and several tell Pannebecker that Spine has become a regular stop for after-work walks.
“While I don’t have any special dog or cat treats, I do provide a friendly environment for their humans to enjoy some tea, coffee, booze, or a book,” he said. “All I ask is that pets remain on their leash to avoid the unexpected ruckus.”
He says the building is notorious enough as Spine Indie Bookstore & Cafe has had numerous incarnations as a tavern, speakeasy, and brothel. History buffs also know it was once known as the notorious Grapevine Tavern, owned by an Illinois crime family consisting of John Larry Ray and his sister Carol Ray Pepper. Spine even has an English cave underneath, purportedly used as an escape route for police raids.
While not nearly as notorious, Pups and Cups Coffee CO in Las Vegas knows something about being mobile. After working with coffee for five years, Jordan Haas wanted to see her love for the coffee industry blossom into a full-time business that knew how to connect to her community. Her solution? Open a pet friendly mobile coffee cart with a heartwarming mission.
“When I learned how many shelter dogs are in Las Vegas, my whole coffee business concept clicked,” says Haas. “I wanted to connect to my community by helping shelter and rescue dogs find their forever homes while serving coffee. I have two German shepherds at home, so my heart goes out to pets who need help.”
Haas posts photos of shelter dogs on her trailer at every event and outing, including pictures, ages, and ID numbers. She does this with the hope that someone might spot a fantastic dog to adopt while she brews their favorite cup of coffee. The pups on the posters are not the only ones who benefit. People with pups on their own order up a second treat.
“I have pup cups that I hand out with some whipped cream inside and a bone on top, and I am reaching out to different treats vendors in Las Vegas so I can expand the menu,” Haas said. “Customers will one day ask for a ‘coffee’ for their pups. It’s not actual coffee, but it is a fun way to make sure their dogs don’t feel left out. The idea is to give them something that benefits their health, but for now, the pup cups are always the go-to for a special treat. Every dog loves them!”
While Haas admits that being mobile can sometimes create a challenge to serve regular customers, she has taken to posting a weekly schedule on Facebook and Instagram. Along with the schedule, she loves taking pictures of the pets who visit her trailer and sharing some of those photos online (with pet owner permission).
One day, she would love to take a picture of a rescue pet with the original poster she shared. And, long term, she would love nothing better than to see Pups and Cups Coffee CO transform itself into a pet-friendly coffee shop where she can host adoption events for pet rescues and shelter animals.
“Right now, I’m happy to go to events. I pack up the trailer for private and public events whenever people want to share my love of pups and coffee,” said Haas. “It’s a great time to message me because I say ‘yes’ to almost every business opportunity in an effort to get my name out there. That means more happy customers and, just as important, more happy dogs!”
Want more information? Visit Makers & Finders or Pups and Cups Coffee CO online in Las Vegas, and Spine Indie Bookstore in St. Louis. While all three have different takes on dog-friendly service, they share a common love for animals and an amazing connection to their communities just like All About Spot.
You can also look for more dog-friendly coffee shops at BringFido. They list many pet-friendly coffee shops and restaurants throughout the United States. Just keep in mind that it’s still good to call some shops listed in advance. When we checked in with Frothy Monkey in Tennessee, for instance, they told us health codes prevent them from being pet friendly.
