Should Retail Open Its Arms?
There were also mixed reactions to dogs being allowed in stores. Certainly, it's becoming more commonplace; TD Bank (left) hands out dog biscuits with dollar bills. And having Golden Retriever Maddie and Goldendoodle Jack (right) has been nothing but positive for Bethesda, Md.-based home furnishing store Urban Country. Co-owner Jillian Roth says customers come in just to say hello to the dogs, and she's never had negative feedback. Overall, the neighborhood is very dog friendly, she says, with water bowls peppering the sidewalks of Bethesda Row; some restaurants with outside seating even have treats on the menu. One respondent says the biggest retail problem is owners who let their dogs relieve themselves and don't clean up after them; others say they're more likely to frequent retail that welcomes furry family members.
