Photo credit: Audrey Mandelbaum
TERA is spotlighting Eagle Rock small businesses to support our neighborhood’s recovery from the pandemic. For May 2022, we are spotlighting Rock Dog & Cat, Eagle Rock’s favorite pet food and supply store.
Below is an interview with Rock Dog & Cat’s knowledgeable owner and champion for pet well-being, Peter Berman:
What is the story behind Rock Dog & Cat?
We are in our 11th year of business and have appreciate all the friendships and relationships we have made. I also appreciate all the support and trust from our customers. Prior to opening Rock Dog and Cat we operated a pet sitting and dog walking business for over a decade that serviced the Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Pasadena, Glendale and surrounding areas, My wife is also a dog behaviorist. Our kids were attending Eagle Rock Elementary at the time and we felt there was a void/need/opportunity for a family run independent pet food and supply store. I would drive by our current location when I was taking the kids to school each day and eventually saw a ‘For Lease” sign on the property.
The pandemic has had an enormous impact on retail businesses. How have you weathered the storm thus far and what differences are you seeing in what customers are looking for from Rock Dog & Cat?
Our customers were there for us and supportive pre-pandemic, so I felt a responsibility to be there and offer the same support during the pandemic. Especially the very early days. People were scared and unsure and wanted to be sure they could care for their pets. In the very early days I tried to adapt with offering free deliveries and a system that made phone orders and curbside pick up as easy as possible. I made a lot of deliveries. Basically, we have a system in place and we have had to adapt and change in order to best serve the needs of our customers. I think that is what our customers would have hoped we could do and I feel like we have done that. The biggest change is that people used to come in to browse and chat and hang out (often with their dogs) but social distancing etc. had made things a little more transactional. I try to practice empathy and respect as we all navigate things.
What are some of your favorite pet toys or treats that customers should look out for?
Everyone’s needs are so different. That is one of the things that is exciting about being at the store every day. Finding out what people need or are having difficulty with and helping them solve the problem. The problem might be about food, allergies, behavioral issues or financial constraints. The goal is to figure out how we can help with the customer’s concern. That being said, our dog customers have been loving these bacon flavored dog treats called Gibsons by Wild Meadow Farms, as well as a dental treat and/or supplement that helps with bad breath, plaque and tartar called Plaque Off. Our cat customers have been digging this cat scratcher that has scratch pads on the bottom and all four sides called The Scratch Lounge and one of the most popular cat toys is this toy on a wire called The Cat Dancer.
What do you like most about being in Eagle Rock?
The People. The great friendships and relationships we have made. The potential for even greater things to come.
🪨 🐶 🐱
Rock Dog & Cat
1916 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
rockdogandcat.com / (323) 258-7625
Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-4pm