They’ll greet you with a wag and a smile, and they’re always open to a pet or cuddle. Some have designated spots they’ve claimed in the store, while others roam around all day, checking in on customers and looking for snacks. Meet five of Charlotte’s most beloved shop dogs.
Nacho and Scout, Blackhawk Hardware and Garden Center
Official Titles: Colonel Nacho and Sergeant Scout, commanders of customer smiles and fur-ocious protectors of the store
Make a visit to Blackhawk Hardware, and you’re sure to see the store’s two favorite employees, Nacho and Scout. Nacho, a 7-year-old goldendoodle, is the big, loveable dope of the pair, while Scout, a rescue that might be part poodle, is described as an old, wise man.
The two have a set routine, starting their day by visiting the store’s lower-level cashiers’ station to get a pet from longtime employee Carrie. Then it’s on to visit Donald, the store’s official greeter (well, the one on payroll at least). After those duties are done, the rest of the day is spent trying to collect as much adoration as possible.
“They have a habit of finding the most inconvenient place to plop down so everyone has to pet them,” co-owner Andy Wilkerson says. They have mapped out where they can get the most attention, but we actually get calls to make sure the dogs are here before people come in.”
Nacho and Scout can be mischievous, though. The dynamic duo once figured out they could “borrow” rawhide chews from the pet department. Wilkerson couldn’t figure out why so many went missing until an employee caught Nacho in the act.
Mabel & Juniper, The Sporting Gent
Title: Professional Greeters
Since opening in 2013, The Sporting Gent men’s clothing store has always had a shop dog. Today, Mabel and Juniper, two field golden retrievers—and technically second cousins as well as “sisters” now—sit watch over the shop.
Mabel serves as the older sister of the pair at 8 years old, while Juniper is 3. Owner Marc Williams says they’ve both been “working” at the store since they were seven weeks old. He says that while it sounds cliché, the dogs feel like they have to say hi to everyone who walks in the door. They’re also known as the best babysitters when parents bring their kids into the store.
When there isn’t someone to greet, Mabel can be found wherever it’s the most quiet. Her favorite spot is one of the cubbies that holds jackets and shirts. When she was a puppy, she fell asleep there, and Williams only found her after seeing a small paw sticking out from under a pile of shirts.
Meanwhile, Juniper has claimed one of the leather chairs in the store. For a good belly rub, though, she may trade places with you, if you need to sit.
Coconut, Craft Beauty
Title: Director of Client Relations
Good things come in small packages. Coconut is a cute two-and-a-half-year-old long-haired chihuahua who has been a fixture at Craft Beauty since she was a puppy. According to her owner, Julie Metzger, she’s everyone’s favorite part of the studio.
“She’s become our little emotional support dog,” Metzger says. “Clients often ask as much about her as they ask about services. She has a way of making the space feel calmer and more personal just by being there.”
Coconut keeps a strict nap schedule throughout the day. She’s typically curled up on a blanket while everyone works around her, but she has an uncanny knack for knowing when appointments are over.
As much as she prioritizes her beauty sleep, Coconut is also a tiny hostess who is adamant about greeting customers and bidding them adieu.
“She’ll wake up from a dead sleep just to go say goodbye to clients before immediately going back to another nap,” Metzger says.
If she’s awake, she is often seen demanding to be held between appointments. She is also a major fan of babies and kids.
While her official title is director of client relations, she’s also been known to fill in as office manager, head of security and even HR.
George, Traditions
Former title: Customer Greeter
George was an endearing golden retriever. The 10-year-old sadly passed away shortly after these photos were taken. He had been a well-loved mainstay at Traditions home interiors for nearly five years. Store owner Sharon Garfield says most days, he had regular visitors and was especially fond of children.
George liked to hang out on the sales floor with his favorite stuffed animals. His head was usually on one with another in his mouth, and he would lie there until he sensed someone in the store had food.
Garfield said he had excellent hearing and was always listening out for the microwave dinging or the sound of a bag being opened. He was fond of following strollers around the store in hopes of a crumb or two landing on the floor. George also recently walked himself up a few storefronts to snag a dog biscuit and was especially fond of snacking on popcorn.
He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, except for when it came to goldendoodles. He will be sadly missed by all the Traditions customers.
Benny, COCO LETO
Official Title: Shop dog and COCO LETO mascot
Benny is only seven months old, but he’s already a fixture at children’s boutique COCO LETO. The fluffy brown-and-white Newfoundland Standard Poodle Mix made his shop debut right before Christmas last year, and now joins owner Jess Sidhom at the store a few days a week.
You may have seen this adorable “Newfypoo” on the shop’s social media pages. He participated in his first modeling job a few months ago, donning bunny ears to pose next to his Easter basket and stuffed bunny. While Sidhom says he didn’t mind pretending to be a bunny, he was scared of the real ones that visited the store.
Benny is particularly fond of belly rubs but also likes to greet customers by resting his head on their legs, hoping for an ear rub. After he’s finished with his greeting duties, he can often be found taking a nap near Sidhom. During his walk breaks, he catalogs which houses near the shop have dog treats. He never misses an opportunity to sample one.
“They have a habit of finding the most inconvenient place to plop down so everyone has to pet them."
"They’re also known as the best babysitters when parents bring their kids into the store."
"She’s typically curled up on a blanket while everyone works around her, but she has an uncanny knack for knowing when appointments are over."
"He was fond of following strollers around the store in hopes of a crumb or two landing on the floor."