For the Animals.
It started as a garage sale back in the 1980s. A group of people got together to raise some money for the SEK Humane Society.
So with a little perspective, it’s easy to see that the Doggie Bag’s recent move to their new home at 514 N. Broadway was more than just a scoot down Broadway. It’s a symbol of the unending effort to care for a local organization and local animals.
“It has always been all about the animals,” said Manager Victoria Lewis. “All profits from the shop go to the shelter to keep the lights on, purchase food, cover medical bills, you name it.”
The Doggie Bag has always been 100 percent donation-based, and 100 percent of the profits benefit the SEK Humane Society. The shop sells a variety of previously-used items ranging from clothes and furniture to dishes and home decor.
“It has always been all about the animals.”
Since first opening as a brick-and-mortar shop in the mid-1990s, The Doggie Bag has evolved and changed with the times. Along with its new location, recent changes have included a bit more emphasis on design and creativity, thanks in part to Lewis’s education and passions. She received a Fashion Merchandising degree from Pittsburg State, where she also earned a minor in history.
“A lot of shoppers have noticed over the last couple of years that the store has been looking a little different,” Lewis said. “We have devoted our time and efforts to creating a unique, eclectic atmosphere for people to shop.”
Lewis said she appreciates the support from throughout Pittsburg, including from donors, shoppers, and the business community.
“Pittsburg somehow manages to be a small town, where you feel like you belong, but with a big city mentality,” she said. “Change is always welcome and we all want the same thing: to see Pittsburg thriving. So you don’t see competition from shop to shop or restaurant to restaurant, but instead you see businesses supporting businesses.”
“From where we’re standing we see generosity in all forms,” she said. “The donors, the shoppers, the fundraiser supporters, the social media sharers. We wouldn’t be here without the wonderful people in this wonderful community.”
