In Chicago, a new bakery is serving up chef-prepared, organic dog treats.
As one of America’s great food cities, it’s not surprising to hear that Chicago’s dogs are getting a great new food option. Adorably named “Le Barkery,” the bakery opened on Nov. 30 in the Windy City’s Uptown neighborhood.
A Pandemic-born Dog Bakery
As owner Danielle Papakanelou told Block Club Chicago, “I love dogs. This is just the best business in the world.” Not surprisingly, locals agree. Half-jokingly, Papakanelou says local dogs “push their owners over here.”
Formerly the owner-operator of coffeehouse and bakery Le Cafe, Papakanelou shifted her business because of the pandemic. During quarantine, the classically trained pastry chef experimented with making dog treats using leftovers from personal projects. “There’s not a lot of products for dogs that we humans have choices for,” she said.
Eventually, that blossomed into what is now Le Barkery. The bakery sells treats made with organic ingredients, as well as pet accessories, toys, and a rentable grooming station. Keeping dog health in mind, the boutique wheat biscuits are made with spelt flour, making them easily digestible. Behind decorated glass windows, the store sells “a plethora of themed dog biscuits, including Christmas and Hanukkah treats and ones that resemble ice cream cones and birthday cakes.”
A Burgeoning Business Model
At the moment, Papakanelou says all the treats are made at a local bakery while she awaits licensing from the Food and Drug Administration. Interestingly, the agency has dominion over pet food production, so they must sign off before production can happen within Le Barkery itself.
While Le Barkery has caused a stir in Chicago, the dog-centered food business trend seems to be growing. Recently, a dog-focused fine dining restaurant opened in San Francisco. Without a doubt, it seems creative chefs and bakers are seizing the chance to broaden their services to a furrier — and probably easier to please — market.
