Woof Gang Bakery opens shop in Old Town Bluffton. Other locations coming soon
When Jaime and Will Coley’s golden retriever, Georgia, got sick and required an expensive trip to the emergency vet after eating a bad bully stick purchased from a big-box chain, it was a turning point for the Okatie family.
“Where do we go then?” Jaime asked herself. “Who can we trust?”
Her research led her to Woof Gang Bakery, an upscale pet store that sells raw dog food and treats made with human-grade ingredients. The Coleys were so impressed they decided to open their own franchise.
Woof Gang Bakery Palmetto had a soft opening earlier this month at 7 Lawton St. in Old Town Bluffton. The space previously was occupied by Mameem and Maudie.
“We visited something like 15 Woof Gang Bakeries all over the Southeast,” Jaime said. “Dogs were happy there. It’s just a different experience than I think is being offered in Bluffton right now.”
Woof Gang Bakery’s dog treats are displayed like sweets would be at a candy shop. A table is lined with bowls of treats, and customers can make their own blends from an array of proteins according to their dog’s preferences. There are grain-free options.
Treats that resemble beautifully decorated cookies are one of the shop’s specialties. Chicken chips are also popular, Jaime explained, along with salmon skin and seafood treats because of the Omega 3 health benefits.
“People are spoiling their dogs more and more,” Jaime said. To that end, the store sells dog-safe birthday cake and ice cream mixes for those who want to celebrate their four-legged best friend’s birthday.
Food is only one part of the business, however. Customers will find bandannas, collars and toys, many of which are made by local companies.
Eventually, once all the permits are in place, Woof Gang expects to provide full-service grooming along with specialty spa services, such as blueberry facials.
Grand opening giveaways
The store will celebrate its grand opening beginning with a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, which is World Dog Day. The first 20 customers will receive a free bag of gourmet dog treats each month for a year. Over the following 10 days, through Sept. 4, customers can enter to win raffle prizes, including free food for a year, gift baskets and store gift certificates.
As part of the business’ grand opening celebration, it will donate 1,000 pounds of pet food to be shared between Noah’s Arks Rescue and Palmetto Animal League.
The Coleys, parents of three daughters ages 5, 7 and 14 who moved to Oldfield from Savannah more than a year ago, don’t plan to stop with one store. In the coming weeks, they expect to finalize plans for a second location on U.S. 278 in Bluffton. Next year, if all goes well, they hope to open one or two locations on Hilton Head.
Jaime said they envision becoming a “destination business” where dog owners are able to drop off their dog for some pampering while they go to lunch at one of the many restaurants in Old Town or stop by with their pet while they are visiting Old Town’s parks.
“We have a beautiful porch that overlooks the park, so people can really linger and enjoy themselves there,” she said, recalling a recent day when there were eight dogs at one time in the shop with their owners.
Said Jaime: “We’re dog people, and we’re really happy with this.”
If you go
What: Woof Gang Bakery Palmetto
Where: 7 Lawton St. in Old Town Bluffton
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 843-757-9663 (WOOF)
Website: woofgangpalmetto.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/woofgangpalmetto
