People turn to man's closest friend in difficult times.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, millions of animals found homes, giving dogs the moniker "pandemic pups." Similar to this, pet expenditure increased during the pandemic as more households who had never had an animal did so.
A Des Moines company will provide Iowans with a wide range of opportunities to still pamper and spend time with their companion dog — all under one roof — as many people resume in-person work now.
On May 20, 2021, construction on Paws & Pints, a one-stop store that will offer a destination experience for dogs and owners alike, at 6218 Willowmere Drive in Des Moines, began. The 33,000-square-foot "ultimate canine hideaway" is situated on 4.5 acres just south of Water Works Park.
Paws & Pints is set to open by Aug. 22. The facility will be an all-in-one doggy destination with four main businesses:
- A 10,000-square-foot dog hotel and spa providing boarding, grooming, and daycare services.
- A 16,000-square-foot dog park attached to an indoor-outdoor coffeehouse, bar, and kitchen (for humans and dogs alike), appropriately called Your Best Friend's Bar.
- 3,800 square feet of rental space for dog trainers.
- A 2,850-square-foot veterinary clinic.
Human visitors will have access to a full-service bar, food trucks, and a live-music stage.
From corporate work to 'doggy Disneyland'
It wasn't originally Kyle and Megan Casey's intention to create a dog utopia in Norwalk.
We kind of jokingly say that Porter, our beloved dog, changed the course of our life, according to Kyle. "We detested working for corporate America. After 16 years, I had to take action. I was losing my mind."
The Caseys discovered a Denver dog park and bar while traveling with their Bernese mountain dogs Porter and Kora.
We came across an idea for a dog park bar that wasn't quite glitzy, but we could immediately see, "Man, this brings things dogs enjoy doing, and their owners have something to do. This business is definitely onto something," Megan said.
The duo started working on Paws & Pints a few months later. They visited dog-friendly establishments and locations around the country with their dogs for study, including visits to Kansas City, Denver, Florida, Dallas, Minneapolis, and Seattle.
The Caseys think that Paws & Pints meets the needs of dog owners who would otherwise travel around the metro area in search of different services for their pets. Megan claimed she used to travel quite a way from the couple's Norwalk home to take the dogs to Waukee dog park, Indianola doctor, and Ankeny groomer.
The idea was to create a sort of "doggie Disneyland" with all the entertainment for dogs and their owners under one roof, along with all the less glamorous but essential canine services, Megan explained.
The pair set out to accomplish just that, but the epidemic prevented them from making any headway.
It has undoubtedly been a trip of sorts, according to Kyle. "Raising capital is difficult, particularly during a pandemic that affects the entire world,"
One of the earliest companies in the Des Moines region, Paws & Pints offers a variety of services for dogs as well as a bar and social gathering place for people. According to Megan, when the Caseys first pitched their business concept to others, they frequently got a reaction that was "kind of like a deer in headlights," but dog park bars are now sprouting up all over the country proving to be successful.
Over the last five years, the couple has been completely absorbed in the world of dogs, learning all they can about diet, grooming supplies, and the finest tools to employ.
We understood exactly what experience we wanted to provide to our fellow dog owners because of our mentors and the length of time we had been dog owners, Kyle added. "In the hotel and spa side, we have the attention to detail with everything from the brands we have in retail to how we groom our dogs to the small things that we do in daycare and lodging differently," said the company representative.
Porter, the couple's cherished Bernese mountain dog, passed away before Paws & Pints opened, but the Caseys have welcomed new members into their family. Myers, a 1-year-old Bernese mountain dog, and Murphy, a 4-year-old Shar-Pei, now have an older sister in the form of the 5-year-old Bernese mountain dog Kora.
Naturally, Kora, Murphy, and Myers were among the first puppies to use Paws & Pints' amenities.
Kora enjoys greeting visitors to her park by barking at them as they enter, according to Megan.
Preparing for the grand opening
Interest in Paws & Pints has only increased as the crew finalizes the plans and gets ready for the opening.
People are quite ecstatic, Megan noted. "Our initial members have been requesting when they may start making appointments for months."
According to Kyle, over 3,000 families have signed up on the Paws & Pints website to get information about memberships or services. About 300 initial members of Paws & Pints will pay a member rate rather than the regular monthly fee of $49 instead.
The monthly membership offers unrestricted access to the dog park, $1 off beverages for humans, and 10% off all other services, such as those at the retail shop, the grooming salon, and the veterinarian's office.
Before the ceremonial grand opening, Paws & Pints allowed the 300 original members access to the building.
The response has been positive, said Kyle. "Every company has difficulties, especially those with the qualities we offer. Pulling this off all at once is difficult."
And it's difficult. The pair doesn't anticipate the full facility opening in mid-August since a portion of the outdoor dog park still has to be finished.
The biggest advantage of working at Paws & Pints is that workers may bring their dogs to work with them every day.
The pair worked with Kinship Brewing Co. in Waukee to produce Off the Leash, a unique beer for the pub that honors their late dog, Porter. A nonprofit or animal rescue will receive $1 for each draught that is sold.
The pub intends to serve drinks, 20 specialty beers on draught, and will soon have a modest menu for both people and dogs. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, the Caseys intend to serve turkey and sweet potatoes among the dog-friendly foods and Clive-based 5 Borough Bagels for people.
Despite being a membership-based establishment, dogs can enter Paws and Pints for $5 per day. Even people without pets are welcome.
Visit pawsandpintsdsm.com for more details on Paws & Pints and its services. To purchase a membership, create a dog profile with immunization records, and book daycare or grooming services, download the Paws & Pints app from the app store.
Des Moines, IA: Paws & Pints, 6218 Willowmere Drive. Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Grace Altenhofen is a news reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.
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