I have an obsession for anything furry with four legs and by that I mean dogs (sorry, cat people) and in Oak Park that’s not uncommon. Lots of people here have dogs and want to bring them wherever they go. Well, depending on where you go, sometimes you can.
First we have Pumpkin Moon, my favorite. This store for the fun-at-heart is full of candy, toys, and pranks that delight all ages. I go in there often and so does my dog, Velma. Their hours are 10-6, Tues.-Sat.; 12-4, Sunday; sadly, closed on Monday.
The family that owns Pumpkin Moon loves pets so much, they even have a sister store around the corner called Scratch ‘n’ Sniff, located at 120 N. Marion St. with the same hours. Scratch ‘n Sniff has great stuff for pets like leashes, collars, toys, homemade treats, and even dog socks. The people who work there always have treats ready for four-legged shoppers. They also sell things for humans who love pets.
The Beer Shop is a happy place where adults can relax, have a beer, and play a game, but you can do all this with your dog and kids. The Beer Shop is located at 1026 North Blvd. and is open noon-10 p.m., Sun.-Wed. and noon-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. It is lots of fun because it is conveniently located near shops for the whole family (including the dog) so it’s a good place for parents to hang out.
Another dog-friendly shop is Careful Peach, which is right next door. Careful Peach is a boutique filled with beautiful items. You may know them for having the poodle parade during Art Dans La Rue, the French festival in the summer. Their hours are 10-7, Mon.-Fri.; 10-6, Sat.; and 12-5 Sun.
Val’s halla at 239 Harrison St., welcomes dogs because Val herself is a big dog fan. Stop in to visit and buy music, Mon.-Sat., 11-7 and Sun., 11-5.
And I just found out that The Book Table at 1045 Lake St. welcomes dogs too, Mon.-Sat., 9-9 and Sunday, 11-6.
Pet stores like Oak Park Natural Pet & Fish, Petco and Sirius Cooks are always happy to see a furry face. During the summer, many restaurants welcome dogs on their outdoor patios, too.
Lastly, keep in mind that only a well-behaved dog is welcome at these stores. I may have missed other dog-friendly businesses, but I very much appreciate these stores and want to let people know about them. I hope there are more local businesses in the future where my dog and I can go because that’s where I’ll be spending my money.
Will Bankes is a 12-year-old resident of Oak Park. He completed this essay as a summer writing assignment and decided to submit it for publication.