Business & Tech

Chatting with Mutt & Joe Manager Heather Jones

Patch talked with Heather Jones about running a business in Severna Park.

The town of Severna Park is full of local businesses that provide great services for the community.

In order to get a better sense of the owners and managers behind the businesses, Patch is introducing a new column. Severna Park Patch will talk with local business owners about life in Severna Park and how they got their start.

First up, is Mutt & Joe.

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Mutt & Joe is a coffee shop and dog wash business located on Benfield Boulevard. Andy Smull owns the business, but Patch sat down with manager Heather Jones.

Severna Park Patch: What is your favorite part about running a business in Severna Park?
Heather Jones:
I have to say the community—it’s great. We really love Severna Park. One of the main reasons I work in here is for the dogs. I love animals, especially dogs. I have one of my own that comes with me every day to work. Her name is Paisley and everyone knows her. She is like the store greeter. The reason we are here is for the dogs. That’s our number one value.

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Severna Park Patch: What’s the biggest challenge Mutt & Joe has overcome?
Jones:
Overcoming wise there’s not something specific, but being a small business in general is probably the biggest thing we have overcome. But with that it has also been very rewarding. We have been able to create relationships with our customers as well with our staff.

Severna Park Patch: How did your business get started and where did the idea come from?
Jones:
Andy Smull loves dogs and coffee. She has four of her own. She basically loved the concept. And she just took it from there. She really wanted to provide a coffee shop up here as well as provide the dog wash for everybody. It’s a lot easier to come here and make a mess here then make a mess at your own home.

Severna Park Patch: What’s unique about your business? Why should customers come?
Jones:
What makes us unique is that we are a dog wash and coffee shop. But what a lot of people don’t understand is that it is one business but we have two sides. Even if you don’t like dogs you can come to the coffee side for a coffee and bagel. The dogs aren’t allowed in that part. The dog wash is great because it’s so personal. We want the dogs to be happy, look good and get exactly what the owner is looking for.

You can also come in and wash your dog yourself using our equipment, towels, brushes and shampoo. We can set you up and show you how and then you’re off. Dogs come first and we really make sure they are happy and looking good when they leave.

Severna Park Patch: What’s a typical day like for you?
Jones:
Depending on where I am needed—I pretty much run the whole thing. Sometimes if I don’t have staff to fill in on the coffee side then I am on that side. For the most part I am on the wash side—bathing dogs, checking in on customers, that kind of stuff.

Severna Park Patch: What other local business do you like to frequent?
Jones:
We actually, on many occasions as a group, we get together and go bowling at the Severna Park [Lanes]. We plan get-togethers. That’s why it is so great here. It’s a business but we are family too. The bowling alley is probably one of the biggest spots we go to.


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