Best Buddies 'Out of Business'

Dog lovers and owners have to find a new local business to help them spoil their furry friends.

Best Buddies Dog Boutique & Bakery, located at 6498 Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach, is closed.

The shop was known as a full-scale dog boutique complete with accessories, food, toys, baked dog treats and more. Now, there's a sign posted on the front door - "Out of Business."

The phone number is no longer in service and the Facebook page has been deactivated.

Best Buddies originally opened on Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete in October 2008. Two years later the owner, Alan Ronay, moved his shop to a larger location in St. Pete Beach. In an interview with Patch in June 2011, Ronay said he planned on staying at the new location "for a long time." Read more in our article, "Bright Businesses: Best Buddies."

Best Buddies received positive reviews in the Pinellas Beaches Patch Business Directory.

One customer wrote, "Great business, fantastic experience." A second review states, "My puppy Bentley adores Best Buddies Boutique! Great service and a wonderful diversity of products. Two Paws up!"

Best Buddies also received praise on yelp.com and earned 4.5 stars.