Heide Hood and Bryan Davis at Coco’s.
The first time I walked into Coco’s Pet Center on High Street, I was surprised to find the owners so familiar with me.
“Sofia, come here!” a voice called from around the corner.
“Pardon?” I asked. Before I could respond appropriately, a small dog jumped out of the corner display and ran across the shop to meet the woman who had just stood up from the counter. I laughed, and introduced myself to the staff and like-named dog.
My mis-introduction, and its warm resolution, are fitting for the welcoming aura that surrounds Coco’s. The business, just a few doors down from Dunkin’ Donuts on High Street, is a friendly pet-product boutique.
The far blue wall prominently displays the logo, and always seems to be emanating a little bit of its own light with much help from the opposite window. The other walls are adorned with stenciled silhouettes of dogs and cats accompanied by either a pun or catchy slogan. The shelves are full of cartoonish dog toys, beds, blankets, leashes, bags and other small trinkets. Even after a walk around the room, I was sure there were things I had not yet seen.
The business came to High Street in late May, and held a grand opening in June. So far, says owner Heide Hood, the response has been good. Markets, parades, and First Friday draw the biggest crowds, but the ebb and flow of small town life has brought people in on its own as well. Sometimes, Heidi and her two employees, Jenny and Mary, are lucky enough to meet the pets whose owners have started becoming regular faces around the shop.
Heide Hood has had her eye on Chestertown for more than a while. As a resident of Columbia MD, she’s come to the Eastern Shore on many an occasion to take a break from her job with Johns Hopkins. The inspiration behind Coco’s, (a real Coco), is one of her four dogs, the only one of whose names lent itself to become the forefront any store.
Much of the business takes place in-store, but Heidi is also happy to order products for the store.
“The goal is to make handmade and unique products available, as well as every-day things that a pet owner might need,” Heide told me, which explained both the standard leashes, as well as the squeaky taco I discovered while exploring the shelves one morning. Several partnerships with Etsy vendors have resulted in a wide variety of items in the store.
The space beyond Coco’s has been almost as busy as the store itself. Already, Heide and her team have worked on a “pet photo-shoot” with the Kent County Humane’s Society. The proceeds went to Banfield Charitable Trust, and Dogs on Deployment, which supports active military personnel and veterans who need someone to care for their pets while he or she is on duty. Heide hopes to host another pet photo-shoot in the fall.
Having all of this behind her, Heide isn’t short on ideas for the future. Organic pet food and homemade dog treats are the next big steps in the process. The hope is to offer high-quality brands that are not currently available in local supermarkets. Another plan is to partner with a groomer and provide space for pet grooming inside of Coco’s, for owner convenience. A “Make Your Own Treats” event is even in the works.
As she tells me this, Heide is all smiles. It is clear from talking to her that she cares deeply about her business and is excited for what is yet to come. She encourages pet and owner walk-ins, and leaves the door open when Sofia the Dog is not patiently awaiting new customers in the front window.
Coco’s Pet Center is certainly the only shop of its kind on High Street, but it fits in perfectly with the personalities of its neighbors. After all, as the wall in Heide’s shop so aptly reminds: “Love is a four-legged word.”
Coco’s Pet Center is at 335 High St., Chestertown
410-7781100
cocospetcenter.com
email: [email protected]
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