Eat, Sip, Shop: ‘Pamper your pets’ at new Bethlehem area business, offering grooming, treats and more | Eat, Sip, Shop

BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Individuals looking to pamper their pooches and other furry friends have a new spot to check out in Northampton County.

EarthWise Pet, offering pet food, supplies, grooming, training, day camp and more, opened March 10 at 4727 Freemansburg Ave., Unit 102, in Bethlehem Township.

The business, occupying a renovated space that previously housed a Pet Valu store in the Madison Farms complex, aims to help dogs and cats live longer, healthier and happier lives.

It’s part of coalition of locally-owned and -operated pet nutrition stores and pet wellness spas striving to accomplish a unified mission – “to better the lives of our furry family members.”

The company, with more than 150 locations nationwide, opened its first affiliate family-owned stores in the late 1970s in California. 

The Bethlehem Township outpost is EarthWise Pet’s first regional location, supplementing nearby venues in Exton, Chester County and Camden and Gloucester counties in New Jersey.

It’s owned and operated by Robert and Kelley Spellman, lifelong animal lovers who are pet parents to two miniature Australian shepherds and previously ran a farm with horses, chickens, pigs and other animals.

At EarthWise Pet, the Riegelsville couple is joined by a team of pet groomers, trainers and nutritionists, including their son, Cedar. All staff members are pet nutritionists, and Kelley also is a pet dietician.

“We’re a full-service nutrition center for your pets,” Kelley said. “Everything in here is good for them to eat, including the treats. We also have a lot of CBD items, including treats, peanut butter and oils, that help with anxiety, as well as a wide array of vitamins and supplements to help with digestive problems, skin problems, joint mobility, kidney and liver issues – everything. If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your pet, we’re here to help you figure it out and make it right. Nutrition consultations are free and private.”

Customers also can shop a variety of pet food, which includes dozens of raw frozen and freeze-dried products, dry kibble and wet and dehydrated options from respected brands such as OC Raw, Open Farm, Steve’s Real Food and Northwest Naturals.

There’s also a bakery, featuring freshly made cookies, cakes and “pupcakes” that are healthy for dogs; and a “functional treat bar,” featurring unique chew items such as beef ribs, duck hearts, lamb ears and water buffalo horns.

“We sell a lot of chicken necks and elk antlers,” Kelley said.

Natural pet food offerings are vetted extensively, and all food items selected for stores are meat-based and free of corn, wheat, soy and by-products.

Trained staff members offer recommendations that are scientifically backed and based on the latest pet nutrition research and information to help customers find the most biologically appropriate foods for their pets.

“What really attracted us to EarthWise is that the company vets every single thing that we carry foodwise,” Kelley said. “They look at where the animals are raised, how the animals are raised, what types of bags the food is packaged in, the whole shebang. Furthermore, the company’s nutritionists continue to stay up on everything. They keep their eyes on companies’ products, and if a company starts to lower their standards, their products leave our shelves.”

In addition to food and treats, the Bethlehem Township location offers a wide array of other pet items, including clothes, collars, leashes, toys, beds, carriers and birthday party accessories such as hats and bowties, along with a self-wash room and services that include grooming, training and day camp.

In the self-wash area, individuals can give their pets a thorough cleaning at one of two stations. Sessions, $20 each, include all the necessary supplies, including shampoo, conditioner, aprons, towels, high-powered blow dryers and brushes.

“People can come in with their pets, give them a really a great wash and leave the mess behind,” Kelley said. “Also, if someone has two small dogs and wants to do them both in the same tub, I’m OK with that.”

At the GroomBar, individuals can bring their cats and dogs of all breeds and sizes for coat care, including shampoo and conditioning, fur clipping and brushing, along with other grooming needs such as facials and skin-specific mask treatments, whole body massage, paw softening therapy and deshedding.

The GroomBar uses all-natural shampoos and conditioners, free of harsh chemicals. Spa services start at $45.

“We are a holistic, stress-free spa,” Kelley said. “A lot of dogs hate being groomed, and we’re not going to push them past their tolerance level. So, we’re patient and accommodating, and we make sure that we pamper your pets to give them a great spa day.”

Lastly, EarthWise Pet offers dog training, including classes focusing on manners and tricks, along with day camp, where your four-legged family members can frolic in a custom-built indoor dog park with other dogs and toys.

For day camp, a meet-and-greet is needed to acquaint staff members with your dog prior to drop-off day, and only dogs under 40 pounds are accepted to allow them room to roam. Day camp rates are $24 for a half day (up to five hours) and $42 for a full day.

“It’s considered enriched day camp as our day camp leaders are also trainers,” Kelley said. “So, when appropriate, they can work with the dogs on skills or manners. But it depends because sometimes the dogs are doing so great playing togetherer that we just let them be.”

The new EarthWise Pet location, next to Starbucks, also gathers donations for local animal rescue groups and nonprofit organizations, with this month’s recipient being Camp Papillon Animal Shelter in Stroudsburg.

Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Day camp is offered 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and grooming is by appointment (beginning at 8:30 a.m.). Info: 610-829-9809; earthwisepeteaston.com.

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