Looking for a pooch-friendly business in Sidetown, Hot Springs?
By Alana Merritt Mahaffey
Roman passed away peacefully at the robust age of 16. In early years he’d been a hulking but quiet presence—one happy at home or out and about. When cancer struck at age 13 and his life expectancy was grim, the prognosis compelled us to take him out more to enjoy his last months by soaking up sidewalk smiles and scratches from strangers. It was during these months that our family learned the unique hospitality shown to the dog-owning community.
It is rare to go into a city, even a tourist-driven one, and find so many hotels, restaurants, and retailers open to dogs. Hot Springs, known for the track, the casino, the concerts, and the history, has more recently garnered a well-deserved reputation among dog lovers more apt to vacation where Fido is welcome.
I set out to cover the entire downtown area, listing dog-friendly businesses, and found that building a comprehensive list would take pages. So I began at Sidetown (the flourishing district from Lagniappe’s on Grand to COMO square).
In the mornings before businesses open, the dogs and their walkers can be spotted up and down Ouachita Avenue, sniffing the morning news at each magnolia tree and sometimes stopping in the 300 block for a sip of water from a bowl left out by a business owner. Above the bowl reads “Pets welcome.”
In visiting with various businesses, a theme emerged. The owners and employees are like their customers: wary of leaving their pets behind and anxious to have them by their side. Among these business owners is the Mountain Valley Armory whose white Pyrenees Lilly frequents the sunlight areas. Her furry counterpart, Gabby the Golden Retriever, prefers the nooks near the Machine Gun Firing Range downstairs. Their owners, Tanya and Jason Spavins, volunteer with Hot Springs Animal Services as fosters.
A few doors down dogs can visit RetroFit for free treats and a turn at the store’s yellow tennis ball or lounge on the shady patio at Splash Wine Bar. Another popular patio for pups is at the pizzeria SQZBX (pronounced “squeezebox”) whose vine-and-brick line patio makes creature comforts easy. Dogs can nap under wrought-iron chairs while patrons sip beer brewed on-site.
Though small in square footage, the Parlour Hot Springs has ample room for all the “good” dogs. The cozy, quiet atmosphere is perfect for a drowsy pet to nap while owners browse shelves of curiosities.
Even businesses invite clients to bring their furry counterparts. At SixtyOne Celsius, dogs can spread out while their owners talk advertising options with staff. Perhaps one of the most spacious and dog-friendliest establishments is Central Cabaret Theater. Owner and local real estate agent Chris Rix boasts an open-door policy, contingent upon the event of course. “We welcome well-mannered dogs, and sometimes those dogs are more well-behaved than humans,” he jokes.
With this just listing a fraction of businesses offering an open door to people and their pooches, we invite downtown business owners on Central Avenue to reach out for an upcoming article on the area’s most dog-friendly businesses.
Email us at wooffriendly@thespringsmagazine.com with details about your business and pet-friendly options.
