Beloved Banff Dog Boutique to Close After Nearly a Decade

After nearly a decade of welcoming dogs and their owners, the Banff Doghouse is preparing to close its doors for good.

The locally owned pet boutique, located in Banff's Mount Royal Hotel building, will close its retail store on Jan. 31, 2027, as its long-term sublease comes to an end.

Co-owner Jenny Dunbar said efforts to find another commercial space in Banff have been unsuccessful and emphasized that there is no ill will surrounding the decision not to renew the store's sublease.

"There's no villains or anything else in this story," Dunbar told Bow Valley Insider.

"Space is very competitive in Banff. It always has been."

Dunbar said limited commercial space and rising rents can make it difficult for smaller independent businesses to operate, particularly as more companies look to establish themselves in the mountain town.

Nearly a decade of dogs and community

The Banff Doghouse first opened Dec. 29, 2016, but its beginning was anything but ordinary.

Just hours after opening, a fire broke out in the Mount Royal Hotel building, flooding the store and forcing it to shut down. The owners rebuilt and reopened in September 2017.

Since then, the boutique has become a familiar stop for local dog owners and visitors, offering everything from pet food and outdoor gear to toys, accessories and custom Banff-branded products.

Co-owner Ward Betke said the store evolved alongside its customers, eventually developing its own merchandise to meet demand for dog products connected to Banff.

Over the years, the owners have watched puppies grow into senior dogs and built relationships with customers who return whenever they visit the Bow Valley.

"I've seen dogs that were puppies that are now seniors and it seems weird to me that I still remember them as puppies and now they're buying the senior brand of the dog food," Betke said.

The store has also become a regular stop for four-legged customers who know exactly where to find a treat.

"We have people send us videos and pictures of their dogs sitting outside because the dog doesn't really know when we open and when we close," Dunbar said.

The response to the closure announcement has been emotional for the owners and their team, with messages arriving from Banff, Canmore, Calgary and beyond.

"I would say it's been um for us and for our team, it's been almost overwhelming," Dunbar said.

Another Bow Valley business closure

The Doghouse's announcement comes as other independent Bow Valley businesses prepare to close or scale back operations, although the reasons differ.

In Canmore, Alberta's Own Marketplace is preparing to close its storefront Nov. 15 after nine years. Owner Laura Bodell cited staffing challenges after losing five longtime employees, saying she did not expect to replace them before November.

The marketplace has supported hundreds of Alberta artists and small businesses since opening in 2017.

Meanwhile, Uprising Bakery has ended bread production, another change to Canmore's independent business landscape.

Bow Valley Insider has also previously reported on staffing shortages forcing some local businesses to reduce operations or close.

Unlike businesses affected by workforce shortages, the Doghouse's closure stems from its expiring sublease and the difficulty of finding another suitable location.

What's next for the Doghouse?

Although the physical store will close Jan. 31, the Doghouse isn't disappearing entirely.

Dunbar and Betke confirmed that online sales will continue, although the selection of products may become smaller and more specialized.

The owners are also exploring other possibilities for their own branded merchandise, but no decisions have been finalized.

For now, their focus is on making the most of the store's remaining months and spending time with the customers who have supported them.

"You know, Banffites don't have to support us," Dunbar said. "There are other pet stores that they can go to."

"They support us, you know, because I think we've become a fabric, a piece of the fabric of the community."

The Doghouse will remain open through January, giving customers and their dogs a final opportunity to visit.

As Betke put it, there may soon be some confused dogs wondering where their usual treats have gone.