Bust out of your gate and make tracks to The Dog Paddle in Fountain, Minn., for a unique experience with your furry friends!
Kim Radke, owner of The Dog Paddle, has created a space where a person can chill, and so can their pet. Whether you would like to enjoy a cool drink with friends and their dogs, or grab a bite to eat, The Dog Paddle has something for you.
The idea of the business came to Radke because of her expanded background involving animal care. “I have been a dog trainer/pet sitter for 25-plus years, but we also just love going to breweries and that kind of thing. I thought, let’s just kind of tie the two together,” she stated.
“It’s a place for people and their friends to go if they are on a girls day out or something like that, because that is what my girlfriends and I like to do. We just love going from place to place; we will do breweries or dive bars, or places like that. I kind of just had a vision of a place where you would want to go with your girlfriends.
“People want to go places with their dogs and it’s good for the dogs,” Radke added.
Before opening the doors on July 3, 2024, Radke made some changes and improvements to the interior of the building and decorated to reflect her own style and to connect the name of the business with the decor.
“We just did a little bit of remodeling, tons of cleaning and painting, and wallpapering,” explained Radke, noting that she did the majority of the physical work herself, and her family helped as well.
One of the bigger projects was lowering a window that used to be in between the two dining areas and installing a counter so that larger groups can sit across from each other and play games and such. By doing this, it also opened up the area and gives the feeling of a larger and more inclusive space.
The business name The Dog Paddle came from a lot of brainstorming, according to Radke, saying that the name “just seemed to fit” her vision of what she wanted the business to be. “It brought the dog thing in – it’s a little confusing to people because they are thinking, ‘What is that place?’ wondering if it is a dog grooming place.” But word is starting to get out about what the place is.
“We always have a cocktail of the month,” shared Radke. These cocktails have very clever names tied to the theme of the business.
“I wanted just some niche cocktails, so I started with The Obedience School Dropout cocktail, which is like a Screw-up, but the difference in my cocktails is I fresh squeeze the oranges every day. I try to make a nice, next-level cocktail for people,” Radke added. The Bloody Mary at The Dog Paddle is called The Dog Bite, and other cocktails include The Ankle Biter, which was so popular Radke decided to keep it on the menu permanently.
The Dog Paddle has an impressive 16 taps, which will rotate constantly; that information is updated on Facebook. Domestic bottled beer and more is also available.
Grounds & Hounds Coffee is available for purchase at The Dog Paddle. As stated on groundsandhoundscoffee.com, you can “sip coffee and save pups” by supporting their efforts to provide pet shelter meals, microchipping, spay/neuter services, toys and more, which is a win-win situation for all involved.
Another exciting option for purchase are Soberdough bread kits. “There are different flavors.You just add a bottle of beer,” explained Radke. Although you don’t have to use beer if you choose not to. “When I was trying to find things to sell I kind of put it together with either dog brands or beer or items like that.”
Due to her specific searches she has been able to find products that are not common in our area. Soberdough bread kits are made in Nashville, Tenn., and include flavors such as Apple Fritters, Mimosa Muffins, Everything But the Bagel, and more.
Radke also offers Rabbit Creek baking kits such as scones, brownies and quick bread varieties. And of course, The Dog Paddle sells dog treats for your furry friends as well as treats for the rest of us!
The Dog Paddle has many unique items for sale such as stickers, magnets, earrings, purses and more. Many of these items are made by local residents. Items offered will rotate as Radke finds new and interesting things to display.
The Dog Paddle hosts food trucks on a regular basis on summer weekends, featuring a variety of tempting food options and when the food trucks are not on site there are other choices for customers. Pub style pizza has recently been added to the menu and if that does not sound delicious enough, you can also place an order for homemade egg rolls made by a local licensed supplier.
Dogs are welcome inside as well as outside right now as long as there is not food being served. Outdoor seating is also available and is the very enjoyable during the summer hours, with a lot of activity taking place outside as friends gather with their pets.
When asked how business has been since opening, Radke was quick to respond that it has been “amazing” since day one. “All of the people that have stopped have been so fun and friendly and I have loved getting to know the dogs,” she said. “It’s a wonderful community.”
Radke is open to suggestions about what they would like to see offered at The Dog Paddle, whether it be what to serve or ways to use the space. If someone would like to use the space when they are not open, they can contact her through dogpaddlemn.com or stop in and ask if they can do something in the space when the business is closed. Radke would be there at your service for the event.
“I would like to do more women’s classes or courses, or if anybody has ideas they can let me know,” she offered.
Take the pup for a ride to The Dog Paddle located at 122 Hwy 52 in Fountain soon and get yourselves a treat! Right now, The Dog Paddle is open for business on its winter hours schedule and is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and open the rest of the week. The hours will expand once spring arrives. Check the Facebook page for the most recent information, as Radke updates the page often.
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