Paws and the City (Closed)
UPDATE: This business has closed.
People often act puzzled when they learn what Jae does for a living. “They’re like, ‘Out of all the businesses to get into, why that?’” says the 28-year-old owner of Paws and the City, a pet grooming salon and supply shop catering to canine and feline friends (they also provide boarding hotels, pet sitting and dog-walking). For Jae, who goes by only her first name, the explanation is simple: folks in Crown Heights got pets, and they want to care for them with quality products and services too.
But before she opened Paws and the City in June of 2017, the neighborhood mostly lacked pet care offerings. “I thought these services should be right on an avenue for people to easily access,” Jae says of her high-end, surprisingly soulful pet emporium. “And I thought that I could create something a little more hip.”
“ I thought these services should be right on an avenue for people to easily access. And I thought that I could create something a little more hip.”
We guarantee it — Paws and the City is the most beautiful pet store you’ve ever seen. Far from the typical approach of calling it a day with kibble-stocked metal shelves and fluorescent lights, Jae opted for a natural vibe marked by warm wood surfaces, exposed brick, healthy plants, woodsy incense, her friendly cat, Fiona, and your favorite ‘90s R&B jams. Bordered off from the rest of the shop, pets have room to roam free during the day, with multi-level kennels for relaxing overnight stays.
“We want it to feel like home because we not only sell supplies; we also offer services like boarding and sitting and grooming,” Jae says. “People have to trust us as their pets’ second home, so we are really dedicated to making this a comfortable, special place.”
Paws and the City’s creativity is reflected not only through its modern design, but also in its range of supplies and services. For example, you can get a basic wash and cut for your dog, and you can try fun luxuries like doggie nail polish. They’ve got plastic water bowls for your cat or handmade ceramic saucers, with a wide variety of natural, grain-free pet foods, treats, toys and outfits (our faves are the camo and the red-and-black lumberjack getups)
“I’m proud to set an example for my two boys,” says the Brooklyn-born-and-raised Jae. “It feels good to show them that we can run our own businesses, and we can do it really well.”
754 Nostrand Avenue, 347-627-6560, pawsandthecitynyc.com
