Barker & Meowsky, a Paw Firm

I’ve always loved this shop, they are great. Thanks to Priscilla for grooming my little girl, great job! My dog loved her and was relaxed and happy afterwards.

This company it terrible! In early August (yes its now November) my wife and I ordered a collar, leash, and harness from Barker and Meowsky ahead of picking up our new puppy from the breeder. The store did not have any of these items in stock so so they STRONGLY suggested that we have them ordered (nearly $ 60). Sure, we still had 2 months until we could take the puppy home. We made another $ 175 in purchases that day as well. We paid for shipping to our Chicago condo. We were told to expect in it 4 to 6 weeks. But that it should receive it in less than that. 6 weeks went by, nothing. We called, we went the store twice, they had no clue… they had the paper work but not product. We received a call saying that a partial order was in and we promptly went to the store. Nothing, they denied calling us. The next day, another call… they had it. We arrived at the store the following day and they did indeed have a leash and it wasn’t ours it was for a X-​Large dog, we are getting a puppy… even on the receipt is was the wrong SKU/​color, etc. yet the staff continued to argue with us. We were told on no less than 4 occasions that the store owner would call us. Never happened. Our puppy arrived from the breeder and we went back to the store to make one last ditch effort, –still no product so we demanded our money back. We were told all sales are «final», and that it was our «risk». Calling the credit card company today, these guys are running a scam, have a look at the other posts of people who have ordered things from this company, same deal. I wish I had read them earlier. Lastly, the despite constant requests we were never allowed to talk to a manager and were constantly assured that the OWNER would call us. The last time were were in I left my business card of the owner to call me. After we left the store another shopper who was in the store at the same time stopped us to inform is that after we left the employee threw our business card in the garbage. Don’t do business with these guys. Yikes!

Best customer service and knowledgable staff. They have the BEST selection of pet knick knacks. If you are ever stuck in what to buy someone as a present and they have a pet, stop in this store and you will definitely find the perfect gift.

Want to treat your pet to the high life? This establishment will definitely fulfill pampering your beloved furry friend. The store itself is organized, clean, and offers a variety of cool products (from sparkle collars to massive doggy beds). What makes the place even more awesome is they have two gigantic yet gentle dogs that laze around while you shop. Those dogs always put a smile on my face, whether i’m coming or going and they oddly add a level of comfort. Leaving your pet with a stranger whose holding scissors can be a little nerve-​wracking!
I’ve taken my energetic fluff ball of a puppy here several times. He’s always been returned happy and most of all looking handsome in a hair cut that i’ve exactly explained to the groomer. This place isn’t cheap but it’s well worth the service! I’m happy and my pooch is happy too!

Best pet store in Lincoln Park! My dogs love all their Tanner & Dash and Apache River winter coats! Great quality and worth the cost. Just picked up another coat in the Waterbury Tarta. Will have to wait to get one for my other dog and his size was not available in that plaid. Highly recommend! Staff is always helpful and the Owner is great too! Been shopping here for years.

This is about the store, not the groomers.
Lincoln is wonderfully helpful. I have been shopping here since my dog was a puppy. It has gone downhill for sure, but I still come here on a weekly basis. They seem to be out of a lot of things at a lot of times which can be frustrating because I like supporting small local businesses, and I do not always have time to go to two places to get everything I need. I am always told the woman that does the ordering has a lot on her plate and will get to it soon. But there have been 8 – 10 week spans where SEVERAL of the items I specifically came in for, are not there for that entire time. So it isn’t just a week delay.
They have a lot of great toys, coats, sweaters, leashes, so go in there and check out what they have. They have frequent sales so always take a peak.
I would say to steer away from special ordering ANYTHING. I ordered a water/​food bowl (that cost $ 100) and I had to basically harass them into asking where it was and I had to give up after THREE MONTHS of being told «next week». I was particularly upset given how often and how much I spend in there on a weekly basis.
Ordering is obviously the root of most of their problems.
Like I said though, Lincoln who is there most days is beyond lovely, so go in buy some stuff! Support local!

I understand that return policies set perimeters, but when you tell me that you are «bound by them», you are telling me that policies are more important than customers or the money that they may spend in the future.

My dog got nicked by the groomer several times. In one instance we had to visit the vet to be sure it wasn’t infected. Now take the guy to Petco. Which does a great job at ¹⁄₃ the price. Won’t go back to Barker.

Over the last week, I stopped in this store 3 times. On my first visit, I bought a «birthday cake» for my City Dog Maggie’s first birthday. I wasn’t thrilled with the options at the other stores, so this was it. The girl who helped me was very helpful and friendly. Needless to say, the cake (which was puffed rice and peanut butter with yogurt and carob frosting) was a HUGE hit with Mags and her BFF.
My second visit was to really shop around and let Maggie check out the store. The first guy to greet us, immediately took to Mags and gave her a treat. I was checking out collars and harnesses for my neighbor’s sensitive dog (Maggie’s BFF). Another guy gave me the lowdown on the Freedom Harness and once again another person was sucked into Maggie’s charms. Treat #2. Good grief! We didn’t buy anything this time, but promised to be back.
Visit #3 was with my neighbor and her dog Lucy (Maggie’s BFF). Same two guys working there. Both friendly and helpful, plus giving Lucy and Maggie some love. One of them fitted Lucy with the collar and my neighbor was sold. The harness is great. I think I’ll be be back to get one for Mags.
Sure, the prices can be a little bit steep, but it depends on what you’re buying. The harness is sturdy and will last a long time. Totally worth it. However, I would not get certain treats here knowing that I can find them elsewhere for cheaper. Like with anything, you just have to do your homework and shop smart.
I’m definitely coming back for the harness, plus checking out the sales!

My malshi Berkley got «groomed» at Barker about a week ago. When I dropped her off, I now realize how cold and strange the lady was with my pup. She wasn’t friendly and inviting. When I came home (my roomie picked her up) Berkley looked absolutely abused. The hair was shaved completely, and in patches it was shaved to her raw SKIN! She was absolutely traumatized. I understand she was matted, but she has been matted in the past and this has NEVER happened.
It took her a full week to return to her normal self. She wouldn’t even walk across the floor, I had to carry her. Barely ate, cried when we touched her. The pictures don’t lie either — and I took plenty in case there was any question.
I know the haircut was a shotty job. It was uneven with different lengths over B’s entire body, feet included.
I also believe she wasn’t treated properly. Obviously, B can’t talk but I’ve had her groomed by 4 places now — thanks to moving so often, and she has never acted like this afterwards. The staff was so cold and rude that it lends to my theory they weren’t nice.
I called to share with them my concerns and my unhappiness surrounding the grooming. They argued with me, saying it was necessary to shave her that close to the skin — IGNORING the fact that I explained it was uneven and she had razor burn where they shaved way too close to the skin — actually to the skin.
I was not reimbursed (I didn’t ask), I simply asked for the $ 5 they overcharged me to be put back on my card. They were stuck up and snobby — I will never return and they will not get any of my business nor any of my friends.
Sad, because the places looks super cute.
Shame on you, B&M.

Yes, the prices are on the higher end… but look around them, probably the majority of the neighbors can afford it. Anyway, it’s worth it sometimes to pay a little more to a local place than to the Huge-​Emporium-​O-​Pet-​Stuff down the street, right? Whose staff, by the way, actually recommended them to me…
The staff is SO helpful and friendly, and I got a great ventilated carrier that converts to a backpack, so Ike the Doggy will be riding in high style around Chicago this Summer! He loves his new bike-​riding home, to say nothing of the treat they sent home with me for him.
Great little boutique pet shop, and with a name as cute as Barker & Meowsky, you really can’t help yourself.

The staff is incredible. The owner, Alison, helped us with a harness and leash for our cocker spaniel with a pulling issue. She was extremely sweet and thorough and let us test it out in the store. We are so happy with our purchase and experience at Barker & Meowsky. She went above and beyond and even kept the store open a little late on Sunday to ensure the proper fit. I forget the name of the harness– but it has a front and back hook and the leash can attach to both to safely control a dog who likes to pull — I highly recommend the store and the products!

Barker & Meowsky is my favorite store to buy for my fur babies in Chicago. They carry the best brands of food (My dog LOVES Fromm’s!) and they have the cutest toys, clothes, beds, leashes, treats, etc. Whenever I bring my dog in, everyone treats him like a prince! The staff is wonderful– always ready to answer questions I may have and point me in the right direction. Can’t wait to try their grooming services this summer. Thank you Barker & Meowsky!

I heard about this place from another groomer that was completely booked. Instead of waiting for the other groomer to open up, I decided to give this place a try since my puppy, Chester, desperately needed a groom. The pet boutique itself may be awesome, but the grooming service was subpar. She basically butchered the traditional yorkie cut as well as cut his coat way shorter than what I had asked for. If you do decide to use their grooming service, make sure you are VERY specific.

We called to schedule nail grooming for our dog. We were told to come on a specific day the following week between 10:15am and 6pm. We did go there on that day and were told they could trim the nails because one girl was not it and the other one cannot do heavier lifting (we have a Weimaraner). So after wasting time driving there and paying for parking we had to go somewhere else. This was the first time we went there and definitely the last time.

With a name like Barker & Meowsky, what pet-​lover wouldn’t want to shop here?!
Every holiday season I make my annual pilgrimage to the little stretch of Armitage that houses Vosges, Paper Source, and Barker & Meowsky. Holiday shopping tradition! This year, I had TWO little fur babies to shop for, and this is the most adorable little pet boutique. Yes, the prices are a tad high ($ 100 for a doggie sweater? I will pass), but they do have some pretty great sales. I picked up a fleece-​lined jacket for the new baby at 40% off, making it far more reasonable than $ 65. Yay!
But really, if you have a pet in your life, you should come here and buy their festive holiday treats. They make them so pretty and put them in little boxes with bows. What fur baby wouldn’t want to open that on Christmas day? (Note: put them IN the tree, because they will not last under the tree with the rest of the non-​edible presents).
The service is always fantastic. I would recommend avoiding shopping on the weekend before the holidays. It gets a little crazy inside. But a weekday afternoon is pretty much perfect.
Happy Holidays from my fur-​babies to yours!

My mommy just came home. I welcomed her back home with lots of kisses and licks. I missed her. But she always brings me nice treats. This time she brought me a braided bone and this extra long stick. I love it. I hope she goes back to that store and gets me more bones like that. Maybe I can come with her one day and pick some toys too.

Much to my chagrin, before we picked up our mini-​goldendoodle, my wife headed to Barker and Meowsky to pick out a leash. She went with a $ 37 (sigh) Barker and Meowsky branded nylon leash and collar. It was cute, but I was weary of any sort of leash that costs that much money. We waited three weeks for it to be hand sewn and then we finally got the call that it was ready. We couldn’t use it for the first month due to our puppy being too small, but eventually she grew into it.
About a month into using the leash, it began to fray. Another month passes and it was literally coming apart at every seam. 2 months! Not 2 years, 2 months! Keep in mind, we have a MINI GOLDEN DOODLE! Anything with doodle in it’s name can not possibly be termed a ferocious dog.
So, we called and explained the situation and they said to bring it in. After bringing it in, they determined the leash was past it’s point of being able to be returned. I did not understand. Your product being terrible is the reason I can’t return it? It completely fell apart to the point where the nylon was folding off and your solution is to buy a new one? That makes zero sense.
So much for standing by your products. We will never purchase anything from this store again.

I really like Barker and Meowski and find it to be quite a cute store filled with tons of excellent goodies for your little furry baby. I do not however like the prices. I’m no cheapskate but I’m also no Rockerfeller and their prices make me squirm a bit.
I do appreciate how nice the employees are and I spoke with one guy (possibly the owner) who also has a Havanese when looking to buy a new harness for my dog. I needed one that wouldn’t make his hair mat up and being familiar with the breed he was quickly able to give me suggestions. He suggested a great harness and my problem was solved. It was pricey, but ultimately worth it.

(this review is for the retail store, not the grooming)
I have to admit that I am a DORK and the name drew me in. A PAW FIRM?! As a recent law school grad I was in love! IN. LOVE… every legal pet parent MUST come here, only for the name.
Moving on to the more important things… I love the location, its up the street from the only Lush store in the city limits, the Chicago Bagel Authority and right next door to Starbucks. The sales people were very friendly and attentive when I told them that this feline parent was simply dying to check the place out. I ended up getting treats for my cats and two cans of Weruva cat food.
One thing that struck me about their website is that I could not find a list of the foods they carried. Well this place is not really about the food. Yes they do carry quality brands of dog and cat food, but this is a boutique more than anything else. There were about two cans of cat food per flavor, I was told they could get more in the back, but I was not a fan of how the can food was displayed. I thought I was going to trip over bagged food to get to it.
As usual the cat section was small (pet boutiques usually cater to dogs), I did not see too many cat trees/​condos. I also did not see large coats/​sweaters for the large breed dogs (I have to look out for my canine friends). I did see some toys I know my cats love.
I will be back when I am in the area to probably buy treats/​novelty items, items for my tiny canine friends and to giggle at the name, but for the big food purchases I will be heading to elsewhere.