Yes, New York’s beloved bodega cats are internet famous. An Instagram account dedicated to chronicling the friendly cats who live in corner deli shops and serve as both exterminators and entertainers has more than 400,000 followers. But these aren’t the only animals that make small neighborhood businesses their home. There’s the dove, which became the unofficial laundromat mascot. The rescue parrots keeping everyone company in a liquor store. And the rooster that helps a barber ward off homesickness.
At a challenging time for small businesses, staying a foot or four ahead of the competition is crucial. And Shop Pets are helping on that front. You can turn a store into a community facility. You befriend customers and become a reason for them to stop by. For owners, pets bring family to the workplace and help stave off loneliness during breaks in the day. Animals can also lead to additional attention, essentially free advertising.
“The customer gets an unforgettable experience, and the interaction can inspire customers to share their experiences on social channels,” said Lisa Apolinski, a digital strategy expert who works with small businesses.
While the animals in the store have many fans and offer a marketing boost, not everyone is thrilled with a bird in Aisle 3. The downside: “One of my employees is afraid of feathers,” she said.
Fausto Stilo hair salon
Fausto Stilo, owner
milk candy, rooster
Ever since Fausto Stilo opened his barbershop in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, in 2000, roosters have made their home there too. Each bird, he said, is a tribute to his late older brother, who raised roosters and gave him his first bird when he was a child. The current resident rooster is called Dulce De Leche.
Teachers at the neighboring Charles O. Dewey Intermediate School 136 use Mr. Stilo and Dulce De Leche as subjects for class projects. “It makes me happy when the kids come to the window,” said Mr. Stilo. “Even when they finish school, they come first to see the chicken or to say hello to me.”
Neighborhood people also stop by to see his birds. “When they come and see it, the chickens give them a flashback home,” Mr. Stilo said.
Immigrants from all over the world – Puerto Rico, where he’s from, Russia, Poland – have told him that the animals remind them of where they came from.
“If they tell me that, it’s like I’m making their day,” he said. “And that’s why I’m even happier when they compliment me on the chicken.”
The fascinating world of birds
Crest Hardware & Urban Garden Center
Joe Franquinha and Liza Franquinha, owners
Franklin, pot-bellied pig
The Crest Hardware & Urban Garden Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is a place for animal lovers. And Franklin the pig.
“People like to shop where they feel welcome,” says Joe Franquinha, who owns the store with his wife Liza. “You’re like, ‘Oh, I can take my dog out and do these errands because Crest loves animals.'”
And the customers, in turn, love one animal in particular: Franklin.
“He has his own weird little cult following of customers who are happy to come in and see him or ask and see how he’s doing,” Mr Franquinha said.
“When we did the Crest Hardware Art Shows, it was always artwork about or made with hardware. He was the muse of many people.”
Cypress Hills Taxidermy Studio
John Youngaitis, owner
Pablo, milk snake
Sparkling African gray parrot
“Sparky is like my companion because she talks all day,” John Youngaitis said of the pet parrot, who spends time with him at his taxidermy studio in Queens. “She hangs out with me. I work, she sits on my shoulder. So yes, there is definitely a connection.”
Sparky is more talkative than Pablo.
“The snake is only decoration,” said Mr. Youngaitis. “Something exotic and cool, and it kinda works.”
Pablo goes well with everything else in a taxidermy shop: “I like all animals, living and dead,” said Mr. Youngaitis. “To me, it’s all nature.”
Old village wines and spirits
Eli Mashieh, owner
Nine Exotic Birds
Eli Mashieh sells wine and spirits at his store in Great Neck, Long Island. He also runs a parrot rescue in the same location.
Mr. Mashieh frequently posts on Craigslist looking for more parrots, always with the disclaimer: “Please do not contact me regarding the purchase of my birds. My birds are my children and my life. ”
“Parrots are very social and intelligent animals,” he said. “Just like a toddler, they need to be with their owner when they’re awake. It keeps them mentally active and happy.”
He added, “Ever since I’ve been doing bird rescues, I’ve seen parrots stay home alone in their cage all day.” Mr. Mashieh doesn’t even do that in the store. “I don’t keep my birds in cages. I only use the cage when they are sleeping.”
Glo Laundromat
Owner Maria Gomez
Petra, pigeon
Petra the pigeon came to Glo Laundromat in Ridgewood, Queens as an injured fledgling. Now she’s a star.
“She brought more tourists or customers to our store without knowing that she was advertising,” said Juan Carlos Salgado, who works at the laundromat owned by his mother, Maria Gomez. Guests only stop by to see Petra or take pictures with her.
Ms. Gomez is known in the neighborhood as “the pigeon lady” and she is often sent birds for rehabilitation. “Whenever a pigeon can’t fly,” said her son, “bring it here.”
Petra is “part of the family. She’s always watching,” Mr. Salgado said. “My mom says to her, ‘When I’m not here, Petra, you’re the woman in business.'”
Jao Social Club
Gale Mayron, owner
Gertie, Taube
The white dove outside a Brooklyn gift shop needed a rescue. Now her name is Gertie and she lives in the shop.
“I love talking to her,” said Gale Mayron, who owns the Jao Social Club store. “We’ll give her a bird bath. We’ll make sure she’s well fed. She has freedom – she is not locked in a cage.”
She added, “She seems happy and I just fell in love with her.”
After doing some research, Ms Mayron learned that Gertie is a type of pigeon bred to be released at weddings or funerals. “These aren’t wild birds,” she said. “She will be killed outside.”
