NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Where most see threats and obstacles in the coronavirus pandemic, the always ebullient Lottice Williams sees opportunity as she moves forward with her plans to open Bark N Bones, a string of boutique pet stores in Westchester County and New York City in what is inarguably one of the most difficult environments to start up a new retail business in the nation’s history.
If the early returns are any indication she is well on her way to achieving her goals.
Talk of the Sound spoke with Williams at her first Bark N Bones store, located at 456 Main Street, caddy corner to the Planet Fitness at New Roc City in downtown New Rochelle. She was meeting with the Mayor at the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Grand Opening ceremony earlier today where Mayor Noam Bramson praised Williams for opening her business in the midst of a pandemic (the doors opened in July).
“It’s terrific to welcome a new business to New Rochelle under any circumstances but this is a particularly difficult year so it requires even greater energy to overcome the obstacles associated with it so I really wish you success,” said Bramson. “I have no doubt that for many pet owners in New Rochelle your store will be a welcome addition to our community.”
Also on hand for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony were Karel Littman, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Downtown BID, Lisa Davis, Business Ambassador for the City of New Rochelle, Catherine White, Executive Director of the NR Chamber of Commerce and Cinnamon, Williams’ tiny Shih Tzu.
Williams noticed the lack of a downtown pet store and thought Main Street would be the perfect location for her new business. She has been busy throughout the summer getting the store ready for its Grand Opening. They held a Dog Ice Cream Social in July and added a dog grooming Bark n Bones Beauty Spa in August.
“Bark n Bones offers top of the line brands in food and clothing. We care about the well-being of your four-legged fur family and we offer superb customer service,” said Williams. “We chose New Rochelle because New Rochelle is the new Westchester Mega City.”
Offering both essential items like dog food, leashes, and feeding bowls and fun items like Halloween costumes, toys and outwear; Bark n Bones on Main is ready to meet all your pet needs.
“We’re glad to welcome Bark N Bones on Main to the Chamber. As a dog owner myself, I’m always on the lookout for unique dog products and Bark N Bones really has it all,” said Robert Hayes, President of the Chamber of Commerce. “This Grand Opening will be the launch of some innovative programs and products for dog owners across the City.”
“Downtown New Rochelle has a terrific dedicated and entrepreneurial business community,” said NRBID Chairman Marc Jerome. “We welcome our newest Main Street business owner–Ms. Lottice Williams and her team– to Main Street at the Bark N Bones Boutique. We already can see they are meeting the market for pet care and trend-setting accessories with great creativity and vision.”
Williams is contending with a brutal retail market where stores are closed and many customers are hunkered down at home, all while taking on national brick and mortar chains like Petco and PetSmart and their online brand, Chewy.com.
By opening stores, Williams who is Black, is also bucking a national trend confronting minority small business owners. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that during the first few months of the COVID-19 outbreak, 41% of black-owned businesses in the United States closed.
Williams intends to succeed by carving out her own space in the pet business.
“I basically try to look for things that you can’t find in a regular pet store: high quality, things that are made in the U.S.A., made locally,” she said. “Tall Tales products are made in White Plains, a great local manufacturer that has quality items for dogs — toys for dogs, blankets, a whole variety of stuff.
Barks N Bones holds pet events of which the Ice Cream Social is among the most popular.
Williams notes the tough retail market has made retail space in Westchester and New York City more affordable as landlords are willing to cut deals to land tenants.
“It was just a perfect timing now to have a store in New Rochelle,” she said. “February to April was shutdown. I opened in July when things were doing a turnaround. This space was available since February . I had to wait until everything came back open but once I saw it was still available in June I ran and told the landlord I wanted the space for July.”
With more people stuck home, more people are buying pets and more interested to indulge them with special treats, clothes and toys.
“The timing is right because there are so many animals in the house and a lot of stores were closed due to the pandemic so there wasn’t a lot of places to get food, and clothing and things pets need plus the grooming part,” said Williams.
Bark N Bones offers a full range of pet grooming services.
“People couldn’t get hair cuts and dogs couldn’t get the haircuts they need too,” she said.
Williams has big ambitions.
“I want to make Bark N Bones a brand for pet stores,” said Williams. “I want people to get great customer service because you don’t always get that at bigger pet stores. I want people to get a one to one direct connection with the staff so they can get educated on different kinds of food, better clothing, better toys, better chew toys so the dogs and cats don’t get chemicals or things that can harm them in any way.”
The next stop on the Bark N Bones express is Pelham at 144 Fifth Avenue (actoss from DeCicco’s grocery store).
“Then we’re looking into Harrison and Larchmont and then also the Bronx,” said Williams.
“Now is a great opportunity to jump on it,” she added. “It’s definitely a buyer’s market for retail space. The landlords want to rent, they’d rather rent the space than not be making a dollar from it.”
Williams is always selling.
“We deliver for free,” she said. “We do price comparison with online retailers like chewy.com.”
If you are lucky when you stop by you might get to meet William’s three dogs: Cinnamon, her lapdog, and her pair of beautiful Shar Peis, Blue and Bones.
Blue’s pictures adorns the wall above the cash register.
At 18 years old, and from a small town upstate, I made New Rochelle my home, after graduating from high school. I dont live there anymore, however through friends that I made over the years, I am definitely connected to the community. My heart is there too! So, over the years, I have seen drastic changes to my New Rochelle, both wonderfull
, and not so wonderfull! I am thrilled for this new store to open in the best city in the world….MUCH SUCCESS, AND WHEN IM BACK IN THE COU TRY, I WILL STOP IN TO SEE YOU! I know you’ve got what it takes.!