Cities everywhere are becoming more dog-inclusive, recognizing that our four-legged friends are more than just pets. They’re family members! Aiken is no different; many places are welcoming to pets. Our charming town has many options for you and your dog to play, eat or relax.
Good Girl Brewing Co.
Good Girl Brewing Company, inspired by the owner's own good girl, Kate, opened this year on Banks Mill Road next to Citizens Park. The beer is cold and brewed in-house, and the full menu offers a ton of delicious options like onion rings, hot dogs, salads and a melt-in-your-mouth Philly cheesesteak. But, the best part is that it’s also dog-friendly! The outside area is shaded by huge trees and full of tables and chairs for outdoor seating. Bring your pup to roll in the grass, meet other furry friends or lounge with you on the covered porch. Check out their menu and upcoming events on their Facebook page. Come grab a cold one while your dog enjoys some fun, and be sure to take a picture and tag Good Girl!
SPCA Dog Park
Located at 199 Willow Wood Road and adjacent to the SPCA Albrecht Center is the SPCA Dog Park. It’s a fenced area of about two acres which are divided into two parts, one for all dog sizes and the other designated just for dogs under 30 lbs. There are three pavilions for shade, a splash pool for those water loving pups and water fountains for both dogs and their humans. The park is serviced daily and does require a membership to help with maintenance. All dogs must be spayed or neutered and must be up to date on vaccinations. Park rules are listed online (www.letlovelive.org) as well as prices for memberships and where to purchase them. Enjoy these dog days of summer with your four-legged pal around the splash pool at the SPCA Dog Park!
Downtown Dog
Downtown Dog, owned by Sheri and Vic Scarborough, is THE place for all things dog. They offer grooming, dog food, collars, gifts, holiday accessories and even homemade treats made right in the store. Pups are, of course, welcome inside, where they receive top-notch service and lots of love. The Scarboroughs and their team are also dedicated to helping all dogs in the Aiken community through various fundraisers and working with rescue organizations. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates on parades, contests, auctions and more. And in the meantime, load up your furry friend and head to Laurens Street to check out Downtown Dog, “the downtown store for dogs…and the people who love them.” Information on hours, events and grooming can be found at www.aikendowntowndog.com
Neo at Theory5
Since we’ve mentioned some of our favorite dog-friendly areas to visit, we must also mention Neo, the German Shepherd rescue who is the epitome of a downtown Aiken dog. Neo’s human is Roy Turner, owner of Theory5 which is a branding and advertising agency on Laurens Street. Despite a bad habit of stealing covers, chewing leather belts and shedding twice a year for 6 months at a time, Neo is a social butterfly about town and supports local. He works full time at Theory5 and can be found every morning enjoying coffee and bagels at New Moon. Neo loves perusing the alley and visiting his favorite bartender at Electric Eats just hoping for a pretzel bite. This well-known pup receives top notch VIP service from the staff at Rhumba Rum and Cigar Lounge in the evenings after a day of visiting shop owners at Lionel Smith, Glow and Tumble Weed. Neo loves big adventures with his owner, Ron, but when he can’t travel, a hike in Hitchcock Woods scratches the itch. Neo may have had a rough start to life, but by way of the Aiken County Animal Shelter, he found Ron. Ron says that even though he adopted Neo, “Neo ended up rescuing me.” Make your way downtown in hopes to meet Neo, a true definition of man’s best friend.
The Alley and Local Shops
Calling all local dogs! Downtown Aiken is a dog-friendly community and would love to have you and your doggo come take a stroll. The alley and surrounding areas are full of restaurants and bars like Electric Eats, Whiskey Alley, Neon Fig and The Alley Tap Room that have outdoor seating so that your dog can join. As you shop on Laurens, many store owners have fresh water out for thirsty pups, including Beyond Bijoux Aiken, Lionel Smith and Bravefriend among many others. Come take a stroll and grab a bite to eat with your dog. Maybe you’ll even run into Neo!