By Jane Kaufman
From nutritional counseling and birthday cakes for dogs to grooming services for cats, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Van Aken offers a bevy of treats for Fido and Kitty.
With more than 100 brands of foods and therapies, the store offers several different kinds of grooming, including blueberry facials for both canines and felines. Staff will brush teeth for dogs, groom puppies, do a mini-grooming, luxury bath or a full-service grooming, which includes the luxury bath, blow dry, brush out, nail trim, ear-cleaning and all-over cut.
Among the raw, frozen and dry pet food brands the bakery carries are Fromm, Orijen, Primal and Zignature. It has grain-free food, food toppers, puppy and senior food, and bone broths.
In addition, the store has food and water bowls, feeders and waterers, collapsible pet bowls and leashes – all for dogs.
Joe Gilk, who owns the Van Aken location with his wife, Natalee, says the store opened in December 2019, two months before the COVID-19 pandemic made landfall in the United States.
“It’s a great area,” Gilk says. “The people of Shaker let us survive.”
Gilk says the companies that make the foods offered at Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming are all family-owned businesses.
“They’re not owned by big companies,” he says. “Dog food’s the only thing they sell, so that’s their main priority.”
Gilk, who describes himself as a dog lover, says one of the most popular items is called chicken chips, which is made from chicken tenderloin.
The store also has a full line of treats, including dental treats, no-hide chews and homemade ones.
Dog toys include chew, plush, interactive and squeaky, as well as life vests, coats and jackets. The shop’s team advises customers on choices of dog food or cat food for their pet of any age or breed, and offers nutritional assessments.
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is at 20075 Chagrin Blvd.