A new ‘barkery’ and store hosts dog birthday parties in Fresno’s Fig Garden Village
Birthday parties for dogs?
Yep, this new business hosts them – complete with cake and party hats. There’s a lot more going on at this new store and bakery too.
Bentley’s Barkery & Barktique opens Saturday in Fresno’s Fig Garden Village.
The business is a dog treat bakery and store, with some items for cats too. It’s in the back of the shopping center, between Wayside Noodles and Heart & Sole Comfort Shoes.
Dogs are welcome in the store, of course.
Chances they are they will meet business owner Ebony Brown’s two dogs, Bentley, a 7-year-old labradoodle (who inspired the store’s name), and Beignet, an 8-months-old standard poodle.
The store has a little bit of everything for dogs and their humans: bowls, treats, toys, beds, blinged-out collar, hiking backpacks for dogs, and dog-sized corduroy overalls and dresses with tutus.
There’s a human section too, with T-shirts that say “Dog dads are hot” and sympathy cards for people who have lost a pet.
Locally made dog treats, birthday cakes
But it’s the dog treats made in-house that are the real driver behind this business.
The store carries three kinds of cookies - bacon chip, chicken chip and beef chip. There are also “em-paw-nadas” and other treats.
“They’re designed to look like human food,” she said, (and yes, humans will be forgiven for thinking the pastry-like treats are for them).
Bentley’s got its start when Brown’s vet suggested she cut down on his treats for health reasons.
“But, mmm, he’s a good boy,” she said. “How can I still continue to give him the treats he deserves with his health in mind?”
So created her own healthy version of treats, made from ingredients like peanut butter, pumpkin and meat. She started Bentley’s Barkery about a year ago selling her dog treats at pop-up events like Art Hop, and the Friday night Clovis Farmers Market. She’d often sell out.
With help from a program at Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce geared toward Black-owned small businesses, Bentley’s grew rapidly.
In January, she started offering her treats, birthday cakes and “barkuterie boards” for delivery on DoorDash.
The treats are baked fresh daily in a commercial kitchen in the back of the business
And as for those birthday parties, a low table can host several dogs at a time. Each dog gets a slice of cake and a doggie bag full of goodies to take home. There are party hats, crowns and dog-safe ice cream available.
The business opens for the first time at 10 a.m. Saturday. The grand opening runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with guests like a doggie sketch artist, Fresno Bully Rescue, and Dogs Dig ‘Em treats.
Details: Bentley’s Barkery & Barktique is at 760 W. Shaw Ave., suite 104, info@bentleysbarkery.com. 559-373-7954.
This story was originally published August 12, 2022 at 8:30 AM.
