Giving their customers something to wag about

New owners carrying on Paw Dazzle traditions

By STEVE PRISAMENT
Staff Writer

October 10, 2007

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – The dog days of summer are lingering at the Historic Towne of Smithville in more ways than one.
Not only has autumn fallen in with more haze, heat and humidity – the new proprietors of Paw Dazzle Pet Bakery and Boutique have continued the policy of always welcoming dogs.
Their Pomeranian, Buddy, comes to work in the shop with them daily.
George Heffentrager interrupted his conversation to exchange salutations with a woman passing with two dogs on leashes while his dog barked from his place behind the counter.
“Hey Casey,” Heffentrager said to one of the passers-by, listening up and adding, “Buddy says hi.”
“She’s one of the local people,” Heffentrager said. “There are four or five locals who walk their dogs past here every day. I leave a bowl of water out.”
At 51, Heffentrager left his job installing roofing and siding early this summer to take over the shop in the Village Greene complex with his wife, Tina. The longtime Hammonton residents have two grown children.
“We’ve always had dogs and cats,” Heffentrager said. “We have a rescued Pomeranian (Buddy). We used to pass here regularly. I could see ourselves working in this shop. In time we came in. We just struck up a conversation.”
The previous owner, Sally Montufar, was always quick with a “Hi Buddy” for their dog.
“They are very special,” Montufar said. “I had thought about selling the store, but I wouldn’t sell to just anybody. I really didn’t think it was going to happen. And then they came in. I could tell from talking to them that they’d be perfect for Paw Dazzle.”
Heffentrager said talking to people is very important.
“People want to talk about their dogs,” he said. “Dogs are part of their family. It’s funny how many people want to pet Buddy. It’s because they’re on vacation and they miss their pets. We work hard so our pets can have a comfortable place to live.”
According to Heffentrager, people shop by breed.
“The dogs come in, too. We have dogs every day,” he said. “People look for their breed in merchandise so we try to carry things for as many different breeds as we can. We’re always looking for something different.”
The shop carries pet food, snacks and, of course, bakery items. Every food item is all-natural. They carry leashes inscribed with, “Bad to the bone,” and pet T-shirts that say, “Get this T-shirt off me.”
Halloween is a busy time at Paw Dazzle.
“When I first took over the store in mid-July people asked, ‘Are you still going to do the pet parade?’” Heffentrager said. “We absolutely are. The pet parade and costume contest is unique. All of Smithville gets involved.”
The parade is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 at the shop. The registration fee is a $5 donation to the Humane Society of Atlantic County.
The parade grand marshal is going to be Elwood, known as the world’s ugliest dog.
Heffentrager said that Paw Dazzle gets involved in other events at Smithville, such as the Irish Festival Saturday, Oct. 13.
“I make sure I have plenty of Irish collars,” he said. “We try to have items to go with whatever is being done around here.”
Nearing his third full month at the helm, Heffentrager said everything has been good.
“It’s a family thing with my wife and myself,” he said. “It’s been nothing but positive.”

To comment on this story email steve.prisament[at]catamaranmedia.com .