Dogs are becoming more a part of daily life, and business owners like the option of taking their furry friends to work. Two local businesses are in on this workday revolution.
Olivia Klinkner is the general manager of Gear Running Store and her brother-in-law Paul Horan is the owner. Klinkner refers to Horan as “an animal lover, to say the least.” The two encourage employees as well as customers to bring their pets into the shop. “A lot of runners have dogs; 90 percent of customers react positively,” Klinkner says. When it comes to employees, she says having animals around puts everyone in a better mood and alleviates the guilt of having to leave a buddy at home. A few store regulars include a Weimaraner named Gus, Maverick, a rescue dog mix, and a greyhound mix named Annie.
Bill Damberg, owner of Brightwater Clothing & Gear, made his yellow Lab, Stoker, an integral part of his shop. But in June, Stoker passed away at age 12. “There were so many times I would hear the front door swing open... little kids would come outside the open office door and ask, ‘Is he here?’, Damberg says. These businesses are part of a shift that’s sure to continue bringing a great deal of joy to humans and canines alike.
