New Pet Wants location lets owners shop for, dine with pets

Pet Wants opened in Findlay Market two years ago and now sell 15,000 pounds of their own gluten-free formula pet food each month. On Final Friday, June 29, the owners open a new storefront at 1409 Vine Street. 

 

Amanda Broughton and Michele Hobbs, both OTR residents, developed their own dog food after they discovered their dog, Jackson, has severe allergies. After looking around and only finding expensive alternatives and rarely purchased dog food options, Hobbs and Broughton knew they could develop a better recipe. 

 

"We wanted something that was manufactured every month and could give people a fresh alternative to all the expensive pet foods," Hobbs says. "Business has been great. Finding out Jackson had allergies turned out to be a pretty good thing."

 

To get a little help building out their new Vine Street store, Hobbs contacted UC about using engineer students to help as part of a class project. She eventually got three UC engineering graduate students to help.

The students helped plan and build two storage and dispenser devices which hold three different types of food each. The devices have turn-cranks to dispense food by the pound.

Pet Wants is the only company in the area to sell dog food by the pound.

 

"We're all about using local everything," Hobbs says. "We even make sure our drivers use Ohio trucks so we know they will contribute to the state's economy."

 

"Findlay Market has a sort of tourist vibe, but we have a lot of local support," Hobbs says. "So to support the community and revitalization coming in down here, we are moving in, too."

 

The Vine Street store will sell Pet Wants dog and cat food, as well as all-natural snacks like jerky and Pet Wants' signature 'Pawsicles,' a popsicle-like dog treat. 

 

"We're going to have some tables outside so you can bring some food from down the street and have menus for the dogs," Hobbs says. "You'll be able to come and order a fresh Pawsicle for your dog while you eat dinner."