Adventure Awaits at Trading Post Pet Supplies! Trading Post Pet Supplies offers its customers quality cat and dog products, private self-wash rooms, and regular community events.
Nestled conveniently between the Ravenswood, Andersonville, and Uptown neighborhoods of Chicago, Trading Post looks forward to helping pets and their parents gear up for the perfect adventure…even if that adventure is snuggling up for a movie on a snowy winter day. Check out their website
Want to nominate a Ravenswood business for a future spotlight feature? Email your suggestions to grace@ravenswoodchicago.org!
Tell us a bit about the story behind your business. How did it come to be?
David: I grew up with pets and have always loved animals. My family was entrepreneurial and engaged with their community, so I always knew I wanted to start a business that felt like a member of the community. After getting burnt out in corporate human resources, I finally made the decision to focus on Trading Post Pet Supplies, and the rest is history.
What can people expect to find at Trading Post Pet?
David: We offer a wide range of dog and cat products, as well as three private self-wash rooms. While we carry many of the products that customers know and love, we try to bring in products from small businesses, local or regional companies, and minority owned businesses to ensure we have a unique collection of goods for every dog or cat parent.
What are some of your favorite items in the store right now?
- P.L.A.Y. (Pet Lifestyle and You) – We have several collections from this brand right now, but their “Woofbuster Video” and “Game Bone” will certainly make many millennials nostalgic. P.L.A.Y. is also a Certified B Corporation.
- Shady Cat Social Club – Based in Sandwich, IL, Shady Cat Social Club makes catnip, silvervine, and valerian products. Not only have customers given us positive feedback about the effectiveness of the products from SCSC, but they are absolutely stunning! True artisans.
- Pawp Culture – A new brand to the pet scene, Pawp Culture is working on introducing dog and cat products inspired by the entertainment properties we know and love, so that we can share our passions with our pets. Their first line is inspired by Tabletop Gaming, specifically Dungeons and Dragons.
What do you love most about having a business in Ravenswood?
David: Having the business so close to home. My partner Cameron and I set down roots and bought our first home in Andersonville in 2023. Initially, it didn’t seem feasible to open a business in the city, let alone in a community so close to home. It feels very special to be so ingrained in the community.
What’s the biggest challenge in running your business?
David: The Clark Street construction hasn’t been easy to handle during our first few months being open, but we look forward to the end result of safer streets for our fuzzy customers and their parents.
What do you wish more people knew about Trading Post Pet? Any quirks or fun facts?
David: We’re huge nerds. This quickly becomes apparent when you step inside the store. Not only do we stock products inspired by our favorite fandoms, but the space itself was designed to include fantasy and adventure elements. You might even catch me playing DND with my weekly group on Thursday nights, or see my partner playing Pokemon Go behind the counter!
What’s next for you? Let us in on some of the things you’re excited about in the coming months!
David: The next few months should be an exciting time at Trading Post. Of course we are all excited to get our pets ready for the fall and winter holidays, but Trading Post is looking to expand our onsite event offerings. Adventuring with your pets is pretty easy in the summer, but once the weather turns cold, it can be tough to find enough stimulation to keep your pet satisfied, and we’re hoping to help with that.
We’ll be continuing our Friday Yappy Hours (4-7pm), but with a cozy twist. Sip on a warm refreshment and enjoy the company of other pet owners while your pets interact, try on costumes, or stimulate their brains with a puzzle from our puzzle library. On Saturdays in October, we’ll be hosting costume craft time where pet parents can perfect the final details of their pet’s Halloween outfits. Finally, we will be partnering with Rough Magic Games to offer “Ruff Magic”: tabletop gaming in a pet friendly venue with professional game masters.
Spotlight another local business! What are your favorite spots in Ravenswood?
- Crafty Beaver – We’re just around the corner from the Crafty Beaver located on Lawrence, and I must have stopped in daily in the weeks leading up to our opening in June. It’s great to have a neighborhood option for construction and DIY needs. Check out Crafty Beaver
- Ridman’s Coffee – It’s another immediate neighbor, but it’s another spot we’re at on a frequent basis. It was also a bit of a home base for me when the construction was particularly messy. The staff are friendly and the coffee is great! Check out Ridman’s Coffee
What is your favorite neighborhood event and why?
David: Ravenswood Costume Crawl – I had a great time volunteering at the event last year, but really it’s because we love fall and halloween.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Chicago?
David: Chicago is an incredible food city. From local burger and hot dog joints to world class dining, Chicago knows how to cook tasty food. I’m a breakfast for dinner kind of guy, so Golden Nugget on Lawrence is a go to. Also, Laschet’s Inn has some of the best German food in town.
What song(s) have you been listening to on repeat lately?
- David: The KPop Demon Hunters Movie Soundtrack
- Ashley: The new Frost Children album “Sister”!
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
David: Our amazing assistant manager Ashley! We didn’t get to call her out enough in this questionnaire, but she deserves it. Ashley brings a ton of retail experience to the team and really goes a long way to make the store a great place to be any given day.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!
- David: Of course! Cameron and I currently have two rescues from PAWS Chicago: A nine year old blue heeler mix, Koga, and his sister Tulip, a two year old pittie mix who joined our family in January. Tulip is training to be our shop dog, and will likely be joining me in the store most days once she’s out of her velociraptor phase.
- Ashley: We have two kitties: Bones, a 12 year old big-boned tabby we’ve known since the day he was born, and Lon Jr. who is a one year old tuxedo boy rescued from the side of the Dan Ryan Expressway.
How has GRCC membership been helpful for Trading Post Pet?
David: Having a network early in the process of opening was priceless. As a first time business owner, it felt like we had access to so many resources beyond my personal network – especially for local information.
What types of events/programs would you like to see more of from GRCC?
David: I’d love to see more winter markets featuring a range of goods. Folks are trying to shop local, but in a world where everyone’s short on time, the convenience offered by online shopping or big box stores is hard to avoid. If there was a weekly market where neighbors could reliably stock up essentials from a variety of local businesses it would save folks from having to make multiple stops, or default to big box and online options.
What’s your vision for the future of Ravenswood?
David: A community where people have broken up with the instant gratification of online shopping to focus on building up the businesses down the street. Once upon a time, buying from an established big brand offered some level of consistency and quality, but in recent years that’s changed. Small businesses are run by people who are passionate about their products and the communities they serve, while large companies continue to aim for profits over people (and pets).
Trading Post Pet
4747 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
www.tradingpostpet.com / IG: @tradingpostpet
