Madison Patch talked to Jennifer Bella, who, along with her husband Terry, owns The Modern Dog. You can find just about anything for the dog in your family including food, training items, gourmet cookies, toys, clothing, bed, leashes and collars and grooming products.
We wanted to know what makes this store so popular among area dog owners and dog lovers. While the Main Street shop main focuses on dogs, it does have some cat items, as well.
How did you decide to buy The Modern Dog?
I took over the store three years ago; I'd been in the business for 13 years. It was a thriving business when I took over.
Madison has a lot of dogs, and a lot of cats as well, and downtown is just a thriving shopping area, so it seemed like it was a great place to be and to stay.
It’s been great. It’s a lot of fun. There are a lot of downtown events that make being here even better. Madison has been really good to us.
Do you have a lot of regular customers who come in to buy items for their pets?
I do, yes, especially food because of my rewards program and treats and toys to keep their dogs busy and happy!
What makes your store unique?
The selection, the quality, and the quantity of the selection, we focus on natural foods that are healthy, made in the USA. Toys and treats are my favorite things to order. It is just so much fun to find new things that are good quality.
Why is it so important to have items made in the USA ?
Being made in the U.S., to dog owners, means that the product is quality, first of all, there’s not going to be any weird chemicals or toxins, it’s going to be inspected by the U.S., which is really important and everything is just going to be healthier.
Special food labels that The Modern Dog carries:
The Honest Kitchen, Stella and Chewy’s, Canidae, Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Abady, California Natural, Innova, Evo.
What is the most popular item in your store?
I would definitely say treats are the most popular! I think because they are healthy treats and they are unique; they are not treats that you can find everywhere. I get a lot more kids in the summertime, when they are off from school. They will come in and pick from the table I have in the center with 10 cent, 20 cent treats and they‘ll make up little gift bags for their dogs.
When is The Modern Dog’s busiest time of year?
Busiest time is December; second busiest would be July/August when the tourists are in town. They (Madison visitors) are looking for gifts for a friend that they might be staying with or a gift for their dog for when they go home as a reward for being in the kennel or wherever they left them.
Community involvement:
Mutt Makeover: Photographer Kathryn Schauer will choose a shelter dog or dogs to work with a trainer, then she will take quality photographs that will be posted on social media sites and set up some meet and greets, including one at The Modern Dog, to try and find a home for this pet.
2 Million Dogs: According to the website this is a nonprofit foundation “sponsoring 40 so-called “Puppy Up” walks, to spread awareness of cancer’s effect on our pets, and ourselves.” Bella hosted a meet and greet with Founder Luke Robinson, who was in town to promote an event at Hammonasset State Park. She also donated Modern Dog gift baskets, helped promote the local event and put together Team Modern Dog Team to support the foundation by participating.
The Modern Dog
690 Boston Post Road
Madison
203-245-6868
Hours of Business:
Monday - Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm
