Chapel Street Precinct reaches more than 500 dog-friendly traders

One of Melbourne’s largest shopping strips is rolling out the red carpet for dogs as it finds a novel way to bounce back from the pandemic.

Customer Jack Post with dog Luna at Chapel St's The Bearded Man barber. Picture: Supplied.

A popular Melbourne shopping strip is focusing on four-legged friends post-COVID, with hundreds of traders letting shoppers bring their dogs in store.

The Chapel Street Precinct has had more than 500 of its 2200 traders in South Yarra, Windsor and Prahran sign up to its Paw On The Door initiative.

The list includes gyms, salons, banks and eateries, who each have a sticker on their front door indicating dogs are allowed inside.

Chapel Street Precinct general manager Chrissie Maus said it was the first and largest major shopping and entertainment precinct in Australia to reach the milestone.

Ms Maus said one in three Victorians owned a pet, and the precinct wanted to be more accessible for owners and encourage a family friendly atmosphere.

Chrissie Maus from the Chapel Street Precinct Association: supplied

“For some of our newer businesses, being pet-friendly was one of the reasons they decided to open a shop in the precinct,” Ms Maus said.

“We’ve spent so much time at home with our pooches in the pandemic, they need to get out and about, and we want them to join in the fun.

“Many families in Victoria treat their pets like family members, and we’re now doing the exact same thing.”

Ms Maus said the precinct was planning a series of quirky dog-focused events in the next 12 months, including dogs rolling out red carpet outside stores.

Jade Matthews, owner of Windsor clothing store Tibbs and Bones, said dogs were “just like humans” to her and the staff.

“We’ve all got dogs here, they bring so much happiness and joy and they’re such a big part of people’s lives,” she said.

“I haven’t worked on any other strip that’s so accepting of dogs, and along this street you’re safe to go into the majority of stores with your pooch, so it doesn’t limit you.”

A list of pet-friendly businesses in and around Chapel Street can be found on the precinct’s website.