Pet retail: Putting the bark in the harbor

By Kristen Hampshire

Stock products customers won’t find at big-box pet outlets.

When pets pad into Bark Harbor, there’s likely a snapshot in store and always a treat. With an Instagram Reel packed with four-legged family members and a location along a busy walkable thoroughfare, regulars make this shop a daily pit stop.


“We’ve watched so many puppies grow this winter!” remarks Gale Abbott, owner. She and her husband purchased the shop in 2008 from its original owner, Wendy Scott, whose corgis served on the welcoming committee.


Now, the inspiration is Boon, part cairn terrier and long-tailed dachshund. (Mr. Boon prefers relaxing at home vs. work.)


There’s no shortage of plush toys at Bark Harbor, and merchandise featuring vibrant red lobsters is never out of style.
Photos: Aquadro Photography

The Abbotts have stayed largely true to the original concept of offering boutique pet products spanning from cheeky rain gear to upscale supplies — poop bag holders, leashes, harnesses, collars, bandannas — and a Barkery bakery case of seasonal treats that have been created by a local vendor.


Jewelry, stickers, magnets and ornaments also tempt guests who are prepared to shop for pets and pamper themselves with breed motif products.


The longtime key to success: stock goodies you would never find in a PetSmart.


And of course, deliver four-paw customer service, which includes lots of love in person, in store and on social media as a community-building tool that customers appreciate and share with friends.


“We have a lot of foot traffic and with word of mouth, it’s repeat-repeat-repeat business,” says Abbott.



Location, location

The Abbotts previously owned an inn, which cultivated a high client service acumen — greeting guests by name, sharing local news and suggesting places to visit or experience. The same rules apply at Bark Harbor.


“We have a lot of foot traffic and with word of mouth, it’s repeat-repeat-repeat business.” — Gale Abbott


“As you can tell, I’m chatty,” Abbott quips, a contagiously energetic person who naturally reels customers into the door and equally pleases their accompanying pets and children.


The reason why the Abbotts purchased Bark Harbor?


“I used to shop here and loved it,” says Abbott plainly. “It was my favorite store, and when I owned the inn, I used to send people there.”


The 700-square-foot shop is full of pet products not found at big-box stores.

She sold the inn and was interested in acquiring Bark Harbor. At the time, it was located in a different building that called for significant repairs. “We passed on it,” Abbott says, relating they still considered the possibility.


When the shop relocated to 150 Main Street, the prime spot changed the picture for the Abbotts. “I came in one night, loved the way it was laid out, so we bought it,” she says.


To support the trail of foot traffic at the Bar Harbor pet shop, Abbott says a crew of two to three associates work the floor during a given shift to give full attention to the animals and people browsing around.


The footprint is about 700 square feet, “and it’s packed,” she says.


Mindful layout is key.


Walls are fully leveraged and display tables thoughtfully stocked. The size equally informs buying decisions. “I have vendors who tell me, ‘This is a really great product, it will sell,’ but if you come to my shop, tell me where we’ll put it and I’ll buy it,” says Abbott. “I maximize the space.”


Grid walls throughout allow displays to rise to the occasion. There, Abbott can showcase Allen Designs and Pop Clock animal-themed clocks with wagging tails and all. “They catch everyone’s eyes,” she says.


Spinning displays allow guests to swift and seek out a pet name, motif or color for collars. Troughs brimming with toys encourage the pets to do their own shopping, which is always an open invitation and adds to the basket.


The spinners also work well for holiday ornaments, which are year-round sellers, such as those from Dandy Design featuring dogs in boats in many breeds. “These are unique and she designs them especially for us,” says Abbott.



Paw-fect products

Returning to a philosophy of carrying items pet box stores do not, Abbott seeks out a mix of American-made national boutique pet brands and products from local purveyors. Novelty and cuteness are purchasing guidestones.


Bark Harbor carries a variety of name-dropped products, including mugs, plush and more.

Local Raccoon Cove Creations supplies themed doggy coats and rain jackets. Anything lobster sells fast. Raccoon Cove Creations also provides poop bag holders, “and we do really well with the line,” says Abbott of its maker Joyce Lachance.


Jax & Bones toys “fly out of here,” says Abbott of the squeaky plush sports balls, nautical rope dog toys shaped as helms or, of course, vibrant red lobster rope toys. Tall Tails pet products also move quickly.


Bark Harbor has its own name-drop line of mugs, plushy bone-shaped playthings, collars and hats, as well.
Add to the mix three sizes of Acadia Antlers long-lasting all-natural dog chews in various shapes made from shed moose antlers for dogs 20 to 70 pounds. If it sounds gross, see what your dog thinks. (You’ll be going home with at least one.)


“We have some mugs that are pet heads, and at first I thought they were creepy, but we sell a lot,” jokes Abbott. There’s the Van Growl Starry Night mug modeled after Van Gogh’s work and Paw Palettes mugs with similar themes. Both brands of mugs exude an artisan touch.


Abbott adds, “The Barkery Case is intense,” indicating a big-time supply and demand situation. “People ask us, ‘Which ones do the dogs like best?’ and we have so many choices. They ask, ‘Are these good for dogs?’ and we assure them that is the case.”


Preppy Puppy Bakery out of West Wareham, Massachusetts, is a main supplier, in general. “They are friends now,” says Abbott, essentially communicating the camaraderie of pet owners who appreciate meeting and greeting at Bark Harbor.


Now, what about the feline families?


While nearly 45% of U.S. households own dogs, 29% own cats and they love spoiling the felines, too. Abbott accommodates.


For feline families, there are options. Creative catnip by local Winter Wind Designs out of East Lamoine, Maine, offers a range of products, including organic catnip beds.


Bark Harbor is a staple, local drop-spot and destination for tourists.


The Bar Harbor retailer also honors local causes. Abbott is sure to donate to local causes by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and The Ark Shelter for Pets in Cherryfield, Maine.


Abbott concludes, “The animals that come in, they know us and we know them — I can’t think of a better business.”