Pups Pub Offers Indoor Venue For Pets, People To Socialize

TAMPA, FL — Tampa residents who enjoy spending social time with their dogs now have the ideal place to hang out. Pups Pub is open 2202 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.

Former Air Force intelligence analyst Alex Wright hadn't planned on starting a new business in the midst of a global pandemic.

When the Air Force assigned him to MacDill Air Force Base, he fell in love with Tampa. He and his wife, Sheila Suhar, decided this was where they wanted to settle down so, when Wright left the Air Force, he attended the University of Tampa and got a degree in sports management.

He worked as a trainer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Orlando Magic for two seasons before he was hired as a trainer for the Harbour Island Athletic Club.

Suhar worked for a real estate firm while getting her master's degree in entrepreneurship.

In their spare time, the couple enjoyed exploring Tampa's dog-friendly parks with their two dogs, Rafi and Clyde.

Their life in Tampa was everything they imagined until the coronavirus pandemic hit. Wright was furloughed from his job and the couple was suddenly reduced to one paycheck.

"We were broke, living from paycheck to paycheck," Wright said. "It wasn’t easy. We were down to the bare minimum. Under these circumstance, you have a choice - you can crawl into a ball and cry or make the best of it."

Wright decided to make the best of it. He began looking for a business he could really sink his teeth into.

After learning how pet adoptions skyrocketed during the pandemic as more people looked for companionship while working from home, Wright began exploring the idea of opening a pub where pups are welcome, too, "a place you can drop by for a brew while out walking your dog in the neighborhood."

He enlisted the help of his best friend, Trevor Tackett, another Air Force intelligence analyst he'd met when they were stationed in Seattle. Tackett agreed to become a partner in the new business, Pups Pub.

"My wife and I are our target market," Wright said. "We spoil our dogs rotten. Pet adoptions have doubled during the pandemic and people are spending more on their pets than ever before. People love their dogs and want their dogs with them. It seemed like a pandemic-proof business."

Wright said they quickly stumbled on the perfect location. The Old School Bar and Grill had just closed, and the former single-family bungalow had the homey, welcoming atmosphere they were seeking.

Plus, there was an upstairs apartment where Suhar and Wright could live while renovating the space.

"We lucked out," said Wright.

Using her master's in entrepreneurship, Suhar developed the business plan.

"She had all this information on foot and vehicle traffic and other data that convinced the Small Business Administration to give us a loan," Wright said.

They were turned down for the first round of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security funding but the strength of their business plan convinced Pilot Bank to provide some financing.

While Suhar was working on the business plan, Tackett and Wright redesigned the space.

The sports bar was already wired for 22 TVs in the bar and on the outdoor patio. All Wright and Tackett had to do was find a way to make the bar dog friendly.

They added floor drains and covered the 3,700-square-foot space with a synthetic grass called EasyTurf recommended by television personality and dog whisperer Cesar Milan.

"You just spray it down if a dog has an accident," said Wright. "I really wanted to create a backyard atmosphere where you could watch the game while the dogs played off leash."

They added a full liquor bar along with a few arcade games for the human customers but most of their attention went to entertaining canine clients.

A wooden pirate ship with a slide was the perfect centerpiece, giving dogs something to jump on and explore. To accommodate a dog's favorite pastime - looking out the window - Wright and Tackett put in dog-height windows facing Kennedy Avenue, so pups could watch the activity on the streets.

The walls were transformed with murals by Painkilla Cam and Tampa artist Jason Skeldon.

"We wanted to keep it local, keep it fun and keep it colorful," said Wright.

After opening in mid-December, Pups Pub has become the go-to spot for breed meetups, nonprofit animal shelter fundraisers, doggy dates and pet parties.

Entry to Pups Pub is by membership only. That allows Wright and Tackett to ensure that all dogs are up to date on their vaccinations and have been spayed and neutered.

"We're not a doggy brothel," joked Wright.

The Pups Pub pup control staff is on hand to check in pets and people, sell memberships, clean up accidents and make sure dogs keep it friendly.

"One mean dog can ruin it for everybody, just like people," said Wright.

If a dog is having trouble socializing, Pups Pub has a partnership with Revolution Dog Training, which specializes in socializing dogs.

The pub also has partnered with the Tampa Veterinary Hospital to refer pet owners who have dogs that need shots and registration tags, and Paws 'n' Rec Doggie Daycare.

Pups Pub doesn't serve food, however, members are encouraged to order takeout from local restaurants and have it delivered by UberEats.

For the pups, Pups Pub sells an array of holistic specialty dog treats.

Pups pubs currently has 225 members, or VIPups, well ahead of Suhar's projection of 500 members within a year.

Wright said they couldn't be more pleased with the response.

To others considering starting a business during the pandemic, Wright advises: "Find something you're passionate about, know your target audience and don't be afraid to take a chance. You just need one 'Yes.'"

Pups Pub charges $10 for a day pass, $20 or monthly pass and $199 for a year. A monthly membership comes with drink specials and a VIP entrance. The annual membership includes swag for both pups and humans.

Pups Pub is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

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