Salty Paws Pet Boutique opens in Bellport
Salty Paws Pet Boutique owner Ariel LaValle holds her pug mix Pip at her Bellport shop. Credit: Brittany LaValle
"Life is better with you" shines from a neon sign at Salty Paws Pet Boutique in Bellport. It’s a glowing reminder that furry friends matter, and it's a popular spot for photo ops.
"There’s a little couch beneath the sign and a pillow that says, ‘Reserved for the dog,’ " says store owner Ariel LaValle, 28.
The shop, which opened earlier this year, carries healthy dog and cat treats, grooming items, supplements, and accessories — collars, leashes, harnesses, toys, as well as items for pet owners.
"I like to call them the ‘pawrents,’ " says LaValle, whose own menagerie now numbers five. Her dogs are Pip, a pug mix, Chickee, a dachshund mix, and Nova, a Chihuahua mix. Her cats are Peaches and Perry.
Her dogs are rescue pups from Puerto Rico, which aligns with her personal and professional priorities. "I grew up here, and I've always had dogs and cats," says LaValle, a Bellport High School graduate who studied marine biology at Stony Brook University. LaValle founded New York Safe Haven Animal Rescue in 2018. Its mission is finding permanent homes for dogs and cats in Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Salty Paws hosts adoption gatherings, plus pet-themed events. A recent "Paint your Pet" workshop was a hit. Puppy yoga was, no surprise, adorable. Dates and fees are posted on Instagram.
A lifelong love of animals, along with a prime available retail space, gave her the perfect opportunity to start the business. "I just decided to take the plunge," she says.
Since opening, freeze-dried chicken treats, seasonal toys (pumpkin-spiced plushie, anyone?), and food toppers for pets that are picky eaters are top sellers. Prices range from $7.50 and up. T-shirts ($32) and caps for pet moms and dads ($28) are also popular.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, the shop welcomes pooches. Private shopping appointments are available for dogs who are uncomfortable in public.
One of the joys of being in the pet business is developing a following — two legs and four. "This one little dog named Pickles lives nearby," LaValle says. "She always drags her mom in here to come say hi to me as part of their morning walk routine. It’s so fun to see her."
Salty Paws Pet Boutique, 13 Bellport Lane, Bellport; @saltypawsbellport
