Allentown Gets Dog-Friendly
I remember being much younger and noting that a modeling agency was located in this wonderful old brick house in Allentown. Later on I remember thinking that the modeling agency must have vacated the premises due to the lonely look of the building. There was no activity and I assumed that it was vacant. Recently a BRO viewer clued me in that a doggy daycare business was scheduled to move in. I scoped out the building and didn't see any tell-tail signs of progress. Then the BRO viewer sent back a confirmation along with a phone number.
Upon calling the number a woman by the name of Shelia answered. She told me that our viewer was correct and there would be a dog-friendly business moving in hopefully sometime this summer. The owners were in the process of fixing up the wood floors and remodeling the interior. Sheila, the manager and proud dog owner, informed me that a name had not been chosen, but the business model was being planned. "We will be bringing a dog-friendly business to Allentown. It will be a place where owners can come to socialize their dogs. We will most likely offer doggy daycare, walking services, bathing and grooming, pet parties,... and down the road we will be looking into boarding as well as carrying accessories and food. There are a lot of dogs in Buffalo, and we feel that the city should be as dog-friendly as possible."
I couldn't help but ask Sheila whatever happened to June 2 modeling agency. She told me that the business was still operating inside, though everything now takes place over the phone. That means that, in essence, there will be two businesses operating in the space... "and we have a huge apartment available upstairs for someone who wants to move into Allentown," she added. Maybe an up-and-coming model who owns a dog?
Plans are to open up a couple of big doors in the back to provide the pets a place that offers protection from the elements, but also gives them plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Now that the neighborhood has seen a boom in children activity due to the addition of a new charter school, we can look forward to seeing troops of leashed dogs added to the mix - can't wait for all of the action.
The latest dog-digs will be located at 143 Allen Street later this summer.
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priezcykniewski
I have often wondered abt that modeling agency too & always hoped an eclectic business would open up there, but a doggy day care? how f-ing stupid is that? perhaps it will be a day spa for cats too.
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senorita
The doggy day care on Amherst Street was an indredible addition to the street. It added action in the morning when owners would drop off their dogs and it was the same later in the day when they would pick them up. Pet owners spend a ton of money on their pets and here we have a vacant building being turned into a new business. I think Allentown will support this place. I can't wait to see the dog walkers. Reminds me of commercials with a NYC gal and 20 pooches walking down 5th Ave.
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atownres
What a great idea! The patrons at Gabriel's Gate can feed the dogs food scraps from the patio and smell what ever the dogs have to offer in return. A splended way to share the adjoining outdoor space.
No place to park to drop off or pick up your dog? No problem, Dorothy Johnson, Control Board director, living across the street, would love to offer her driveway space to support Buffalo's development.
And don’t worry, a neglected building does not mean the dogs will be neglected. In fact it appears the perfect opportunity to let the place go to the dogs.
I love dogs, and Allentown, but this space will not enhance either.
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tommyBluez
I kind of agree with atownres, I live on Irving Pl. now (the street that the building is situated at is allen & irving), and there are enough neighbors already with annoying, constant barking dogs.
Don't be quick to misjudge me and say that I'm not an animal lovers, we've had dogs all my life growing up. My Mother just added a new sister to my family (a Doberman Puppy) and my Dad still has 2 dogs. The problem is, not everyone takes care of their dogs and trains them properly. When this happens, you get dogs that are not obedient, bark constantly and are a nuisance.
Unfortunately, a large majority of pet owners in Buffalo seem to have the unruly dogs. I've been kind of sad to be leaving Irving Place, as I loved living right in Allentown on a quiet street thats close to everything but still maintains its privacy. However, along with Allen traffic stealing residents on-street parking, the 'dog daycare/store', whatever have you.... will be another reason that I can say I'm glad to move away from.
Good luck to her eitherway, at least she's boosting business, which ultimately is a good thing!
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downpat
i have a dog, and i live in allentown. i'll definitely use the dog walking services. i can think of more interesting uses for such a nice old brick house, but this is better than it's curent vacant staus. i hope the owner get rid of those glass block windows...
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