Business & Tech
Pampered Pups For Sale: 'Charm City Puppies' Live High on the Dog
Tony Cossentino talks about his new store, Charm City Puppies, opening in Columbia next month.
Coming to Columbia: a high-end pet store that will have custom cribs for puppies (rather than cages), little doggie clothes, and of course--toys.
Tony Cossentino, who owns Charm City Puppies with his wife Jackie, said the store is expected to open in January. The 1,250-square-foot space is on Snowden River Parkway near the exit ramp for Rt. 100--right next to
Cossentino said once the store opens, it will employ from six to 10 people.
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The new store will sell purebred puppies and upscale boutique accessories. The puppies will all come from thoroughly researched breeders that have all been USDA approved, he said.
Cossentino grew up and resides in Columbia. He graduated from in 2004. The 26-year-old graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor’s degree in geography.
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Prior to Charm City puppies, he worked in the construction industry.
Cossentino said Charm City Puppies will not look like a typical pet store. Case in point: the custom cribs rather than cages for the puppies.
“Our store will reflect the higher standard that people expect in Howard County,” he said.
The shop will sell a variety of breeds, everything from teacup Yorkies to golden retrievers, Cossentino said. There will also be a number of high quality accessories available including doggie clothes, beds and toys, he said.
He said the idea to open a high-end puppy store was initially kind of a joke between him and his wife. He said the two of them have always enjoyed their furry friends and eventually they decided to build a business around what they love most.
“We have owned and loved dogs all our lives, and life wouldn’t be the same without them,” he said. “You are always told to do what makes you happy for a living, and it really doesn’t get any better than this.”
He thinks this area is a great place for his business and he is excited to open soon.
“It [Howard County] is a family-oriented area and we can feel confident that our puppies will end up with loving families,” he said.
For more information about Charm City Puppies visit the website or the business' Facebook page.
