Originally Posted by
Jan in VA
I'd imagine that the businesses you refer to as "family businesses" are probably small businesses, too. I personally love them myself. And I live in an area where the towns within 100 miles of me are all under 60,000 in population (3 of those), most are quite wonderful "charming small towns". I don't know of any (many) that have pets in the store other than quilt stores, oddly enough. And I've shopped in all the kinds I mentioned.
My comment, though it seemed belittling to you -- and I am really sorry for that, truly -- still applies to guidelines that follow any kind of professional business model. It just is contrary to the bottom line to offend a segment of ones prospective customer base, no two ways about that.
Jan in VA
I don't live that far from you.
http://www.downtownfrederick.org/dog-friendly
I couldn't find a quick list of places with shop pets, but a good number of successful, longstanding shops here allow customers to bring their own dogs in with them as you can see from the link above.
People with cat allergies make up less than 10% of the population. Businesses tend toward the 80/20 rule - if less than 20% of a group has a special preference,*putting your money there is a bad bet.
Again, I don't care if anyone refuses to shop someplace that keeps or allows pets, that's your choice. But saying that allowing an animal in the shop is bad for business, is simply false.
Our Ben & Jerry's allows pets by the way. Seems to be working for them.
(We live North of Frederick now, but our town is too small for a friendly list like this.
)