Every shop or service listed here is truly independent; no franchises, no chains in indie clothing. Keep working, middle class America alive, and support the fantastic people who live in, work in, and build YOUR communities!
Food & Supplies
Peppo’s Pets – Hoffman Estates, IL
https://peppospets.com/
Food, treats, toys… The works! Sarah also offers something extra special: an in-house bakery, where you can order custom dog cakes, made by Sarah on-site, no outsourcing, no mass production, with all pet-friendly ingredients, of course. You’ll find all of my favorites: Fromm, SmallBatch, The Honest Kitchen, Farmina, Cloud Star, Zignature, Green Juju, and baked-in-house treats, too. In fact, all of the training treats I use with my students come from Peppo’s. And if you swing by Wednesday or Thursday morning, or Friday evening, there’s a solid chance I’ll be there, so come by and say hi!
Dog Grooming
Furry Finesse – Highland Park, IL
https://furryfinesse.com/
Linda could forget half of what she knows about dog grooming and still know more than I ever will about a dog’s coat and maintenance! We worked together way back when, and when we reconnected, I was so glad to see her doing well and running her own shop. Above and beyond your standard bath and brush and haircuts, Linda is a master of creative color, adding a special splash to any dog’s appearance. She is patient, gentle, and a wonderful human, on top of being a skilled and talented canine beautician! She groomed my little Shilah for many, many years, and even though Shilah was not a particularly good client, Linda never held it against her or left her looking anything but her best.
Artists & Creatives
Riotous Roots – Chicago
Queer & Disabled Owned
https://riotousrootscreates.com/
Rise is a fabulous human being: a care worker, poet, and creative mind behind many beautiful projects, Rise embodies and brings empathy and kindness to all. Their shop is full of excellent stickers, and you can find them at events around the city, too, for even more excellent offerings.