Socially conscious pet store The Big Bad Woof is opening its third location, in Silver Spring. But this pet store, co-owner Pennye Jones-Napier says, will serve owners as much as it does their furry friends.
The space at 8309 Grubb Road--just over the District line--is the location of the former Silver Spring co-op, which closed last year. At 6,000 square feet over two levels, it's significantly bigger than The Big Bad Woof's original Takoma Park location or its Hyattsville outpost.
"Because we have so much space in the store," Jones-Napier says, "we're going to have more services that we can't offer in our other stores." That includes a self-serve dog wash and dog training classes, but also dedicated space for human needs.
"We realize it's a big loss to the community to be losing the Silver Spring co-op," says Jones-Napier. Both of The Big Bad Woof's current locations are dropoff points for a CSA as well as
Soupergirl. "We'll be offering that at this location, but we'll also have a section in the store that's going to be [for products] made local in D.C. So if somebody wants to stop by and pick up something for dinner, or pick up fresh flowers, they can."
"People like to support and buy local," says Jones-Napier, who is also a board member of
Think Local First.
The Big Bad Woof is
currently raising money on crowdfunding site Clovest to help pay for store fixtures (many of which the store is buying/repurposing from the co-op), construction costs, architectural fees and marketing and advertising. Currently funded at just over $5,000 toward a $25,000 goal with four days to go, Jones-Napier says the support so far has been great and there is more to come.
At Clovest, companies receive the funds pledged so far, even if they do not reach their full fundraising goals.
"We're getting a lot of comments in the community. People are very excited," Jones-Napier says. "We hope they'll pull together and help us put this little piece in. More than helping us with our financials, it's important for our investors to see the community's behind us."
The Big Bad Woof had been offered spaces in Silver Spring prior to this one. They weren't right, Jones-Napier says. "This one just--it felt absolutely right. It's the right type of space to be able to expand and offer new things."