Betting on Boutique
Austin, TX – A life-long dog lover, Lisa Conrad worked in dog boutiques throughout college. Upon graduation, she wanted to open up her own pet store. Her parents, Lauren and Mike, were in a position to retire from corporate life and try their hands at something new. The trio decided to take the plunge and launch a dog boutique together.
That boutique, Dogadillo in Austin, Texas, opened its doors in November 2007. Specializing in higher-end products for dogs—everything from collars to food to sports equipment—the pet store also features small cat and gift sections, as well as its own line of private-label products. Designed with subtlety in mind, the buttery-yellow walls of the shop sport a few pieces of paw print artwork, and various cabinets feature dog-shaped doorknobs.
“We didn’t want a place that screamed dog boutique,” Lisa said. “If you removed the dog products and brought in women’s clothes, the space would still work.”
