A one-stop shop for all things dog has opened in a town centre.
The Pup Cup, run by canine-obsessed Katina Jarvis, has launched in Tonbridge High Street for our four-legged friends.
Katina is a qualified bookkeeper and payroll specialist but recently decided to make a career change.
She started the business venture in honour of her dog Doug, an Old English sheepdog who passed away in 2022 before his third birthday.
“I bought the name of the business just over two years ago,” she explained.
“The official name is Doug’s Dog House, trading as The Pup Cup Limited.
“Three weeks after moving to Kent, we found out he was born with a heart defect.
“He had lots of medical care and managed to survive another eight months.
“We were able to give him a happy life for the little length of time he had left.”
The shop has a dog-friendly cafe and pet accessory boutique on the second floor.
Every room has clips along the walls so owners can be leash-free while having their coffee and cake.
Katina aims to add a dog washing station at the back of the building in a month.
She also plans on creating an events space on the top floor for yoga and film nights.
“It’s going to be limited to five people, possibly even four depending on if somebody has a larger dog and they want more space,” the 51-year-old said.
“There are a lot of owners who have anxious or nervous dogs, or the owner doesn’t like to leave them.
“That’s what I want this place to be – where in the evenings you can come and cuddle up in the snug and read a book or play games.
“People love their dogs like they love their children – I certainly do!”
Originally from Minnesota, the mum-of-three moved to the UK in 2011 after travelling back and forth.
She now lives in Halling, Snodland, with her daughter Viennah, son Hayden and husband Paul.
“As a little girl, I used to be obsessed with castles,” Katina said.
“It was always the steps and rooms that attracted me – anything architectural. The older, the better.
“I knew I was supposed to be here. I always say I was born American, but I’m British at heart.”
At the moment, Katina has three dogs: Chewie, a six-year-old cockapoo; Flossie, a four-year-old Old English sheepdog; and Feebee, a three-year-old show cocker spaniel.
She hopes to bring her passion of baking to the cafe, with the introduction of American cakes and sweet treats not just for pooches, but their owners too.
The current menu has pancake and waffle boards, as well as brownies, cookies and quiches on offer.
However, Katina says she loves to make pumpkin pie and macaroni salads.
“It’s very traditional in the Midwest,” she added.
“Women there know how to cook because usually they have big families.
“My dad was one of 14 and my grandmother was the best baker. I’ve learned everything from her and from my mother.”
The three-storey Grade II* listed building was once home to an estate agent. It had been vacant for the past two years.
Katina and husband Paul have been working since March to transform it into a dog haven.
So far the project has cost them around £50,000.
She added: “It’s worth it because I just feel so happy going to work every day.
“I hate sitting and I get to be around people. I couldn’t imagine a better job.”
The Pup Cup is open Monday to Sunday, between 9am and 5pm.
