Savvy shoppers have long flocked to Summit to buy cozy cashmere sweaters, trendy snake-print bags, and swanky spa shampoos. But now, with the opening of the Urban Paws boutique, which opened in June, stylish New Jerseyans can purchase these items, and dozens more, for their dogs.
The new “canine couture” shop, which also has a smaller selection of cat products, is the brainchild of owner Jessica Valentino, who sniffed out upscale pet-product suppliers from around the world before bringing her concept to downtown Summit. “I’ve tried to find small companies that do a phenomenal job with design and quality,” says Valentino, owner of five dogs herself.
Now’s your chance to outfit your mutt in a camouflage-print harness dress, a leather-and-shearling bomber jacket (“We had a Doberman in one the other day,” Valentino says), or, yes, an Italian cashmere sweater by Rani Arabella. More down-to-earth customers might choose a pinstriped Yankees uniform, with cap—there’s Mets merch, too—or a black rocker T-shirt featuring the logo of the rock band AC/DC.
Even if your pup prefers wearing his birthday suit, you can grab him a microsuede car seat, a collar decked out in Swarovski crystals, a bag of human-grade Canidae food, a toy “Hairy Winston” ring, or a brush by Les Poochs that Valentino describes as “magic.”
Just beware: If you keep shopping at Urban Paws, your dog could become trendier than you.
Urban Paws
26 Maple Street
Summit, NJ 07901
908.277.9600
www.shopurbanpaws.com