When I stopped into Hodge Wine and Spirits the other day to pick up a bottle of wine, I noticed an unusual sign in the front window.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“We Are Dog Friendly”
The sign struck me in a way that I was not expecting. This was the first time that I had ever seen a sign of this sort in Buffalo. Not to say that Hodge Wine and Spirits is the only business in Buffalo that is dog friendly, it’s just that most stores aren’t, and even the ones that are don’t go out of their way to advertise it. I asked owner Jim Pepe about the sign, and he agreed that it was true – that he and his staff continually welcome dogs into the store to walk around as their owners browse the aisles. “To tell you the truth,” Jim told me. “I’ve never had a problem with a dog in all of the years that we’ve invited them into the store. They don’t steal, they don’t yell, they don’t argue… I can’t say that about some of the people that have come in here [laughing].”
I’m all for having dog friendly shopping experiences in Buffalo. I know a bunch of shops where the owners have their dogs on the premises. In those cases, I try to bring my own dog along with me when I know they have a four-legged friend to visit. I have heard that there are certain cities that are much dog-friendlier than others (even restaurants depending on the state laws). I wouldn’t rank Buffalo as high in that department, but I do try to support the businesses that attempt to be kind to neighborhood pets. “We even have special treats back behind the counter for the dogs who come to visit,” Jim told me, as he held up a canister of dog treats.
As much as I try to mix it up when I’m out shopping for wine, I will definitely be making a special trip over to Hodge Wine and Spirits this holiday season with my canine friend in tow. Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a shopping experience that much more pleasurable.
Hodge Wine & Spirits
463 Elmwood @ Hodge
Buffalo NY 14222
716.884.6669