First dog-themed cafe in Fayetteville hosts weekly dog parties

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tryphina Renz opened Good Dog Cafe in 2019, but unfortunately closed its doors temporarily during the pandemic and while Renz experienced health issues. Now, Good Dog Cafe has been back open since March 2023 and is ready to stay. 

“We've spent a lot of time at the local dog park and just kind of had the idea of, ‘It'd be nice if there was some coffee here,'” Renz said. “It seemed like we were always ready to leave before our dogs were.” 

Not only does the first-of-its-kind cafe in Fayetteville serve drinks and food, but it also has an off-leash dog park. They are open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Renz and her family fully renovated the space, which was an old house. 

“It was a huge undertaking, gigantic,” Renz said. “We painted everything with our own hands, we built the fence, every obstacle, everything you see in the backyard.”

Even through two temporary closures, Renz says they have kept business up. 

“It was like a giant reunion pretty much,” Renz said. “We have so many regulars that come, you know, every weekend. And they've made friends here. And it's basically become like a little community. That is hands down the best part about it. It's unbelievable, actually.” 

On Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Good Dog hosts parties for specific breeds and sizes to allow similar dogs to play with each other. Past parties include the Yorkie Dog Party, Gentle Giants Party, Heeler Dog Party, and Sunday's Golden Retriever Party. 

Olin Ericksen brought his golden retriever Willow to the Golden Retriever Party on Jan. 7. 

“She's really big and full of energy, and she loves meeting people and other dogs,” Ericksen said. “It was great to come out to an actual dog park and a cafe to meet other goldens [and] get that energy out.” 

Ericksen and his family have been coming to Good Dog since it first opened and love the atmosphere. 

“It's just a good energy. It's a great way to spend an afternoon,” Ericksen said. “We're always looking for places where it's family-friendly, but also pet-friendly and the right environment, and this place has been perfect for us.” 

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