This week on our locals to know features with The Evergrey, we are shining a spotlight on Seattle Restored participant Kari Kalway. Kari is the owner and head baker at Puddles Bakery, a dog bakery serving love and care in the form of tasty, nutritious treats for your pups.
Q: Hi Kari! Tell us about your business focus.
A: Our Seattle pet treat bakery creates healthy, preservative-free treats for your next hiking adventure, in addition to Cakes, Cannoli, and Pupcakes for every celebration. You’ll love the treats because we choose local, health-beneficial ingredients for each recipe. But your dog will enjoy them because they are taste-tested and approved by our super picky husky, Kora. We also crochet hats for dogs and humans and donate 10% of hat sales to local animal rescues quarterly.
Q: What’s a project you’re working on, and how can your Seattle Restored participation help you with it?
A: Until our participation with Seattle Restored, we had no physical-store location. We have been operating at pop-ups like farmer’s markets and craft fairs, depending on our small business partners as pick-up locations, managing wholesale accounts with local retailers, and selling online through our website. Seattle Restored has allowed us to trial a storefront, create a more boutique feel to the shop, and learn what it might take to have a storefront someday. We have also connected with artists and musicians to help feature our storefront in the Belltown neighborhood. After our installment, we will take what we’ve learned to improve our pop-up shops and expand our reach to our loyal customers.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your business pursuits?
A: Meeting the dogs and their people is the best part of this business. Building a caring community isn’t hard when you draw in dog- and cat- (and other pet-) lovers. Our tagline, “It’s all about the dogs” isn’t just a phrase, we live this truth. How can a person be in a bad mood when they are sharing pictures and stories of their pets?
Q: What are you looking forward to this year?
A: We are planning for the holiday markets now! It’s exciting to receive the acceptance emails for markets. Trying to balance the events, baking, choir rehearsal, and enjoyment for the holiday season can be challenging, but we need to schedule both the work and rest ahead of time to be successful.
Q: What brings you most alive about working or living in Seattle?
A: When I first moved to Seattle, it felt like coming home. Between the mountains, the ocean and sound, and the green, there is so much natural life that serves to lift up my spirits. Enjoying the outdoors with my dog, Kora, brings these two joys together. I also love the quirky nature of the communities and individual people in Seattle. The acceptance and celebration of unique personalities makes life more fun.
Q: If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
A: When you support your local small businesses, they will support you, too! Passion is behind many small business owners, and we are happy to share that passion and the knowledge we’ve acquired from living our passion. We love it when you are curious about what we do. Please share your experiences with us with your friends and neighbors – this is the best way to grow.
Q: What’s your favorite Seattle Restored pop-up or art installation and why?
A: I enjoy seeing the art installations. Seattle is a great place to share your art; some will love it, some will not like it, but everyone will be able to experience your perspective.
Q: What’s your favorite Seattle memory?
A: I had a friend from out of town visiting, and we added the Chihuly Museum to our Space Needle ticket. I was delighted and slightly surprised that we spent over an hour taking in the beauty and wonder at the glass museum. We chatted and gazed at the beautiful creations. It was just a lovely and relaxing experience that I always recommend it to visitors and locals who haven’t been yet.
Q: Where would you spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in Seattle?
A: The best Fall or Winter lazy day in Seattle would include a cozy coffee shop, watching and listening to it rain with a good book, and a hot drink.
VISIT PUDDLES BARKERY POP-UP ON 2ND AVE
Address:
2918 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
Open hours:
Wednesday-Friday, 12-6pm
Saturday, 12-4pm
Dates: August 6, 2023 – November 4, 2024
