Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Ochs.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Stephen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The idea for Fetch started way back in 2013 while I was out at the Rose Bowl watching Florida State win the national championship. While I was tailgating with some buddies, I noticed a family had fenced in their tailgate area to let their pups run around while they drank and the idea hit me… I wonder if I could turn this into a successful business model. Growing up my family bred dogs so I have been around dogs my entire life and at that point in time, I was working in the alcohol industry so it seemed like my talents were perfectly aligned to make this happen! From that day, I began an almost five-year journey to opening Fetch Park.
Has it been a smooth road?
I had a ton of ups and downs while trying to make Fetch happen from hearing no from 86 banks, to dealing with almost two years of permitting with the city of Atlanta due to the uniqueness of the project. There was nothing to compare Fetch to so I had to paint a picture of what Fetch would be not only to banks and investors but to the NPU’s, the Beltline board, and city council members. I can’t tell you the number of times I was on the verge of giving up. On more than one occasion, I broke down at city hall convinced Fetch would never happen.
I’m honestly not sure Fetch would be a thing if it wasn’t for my main investor and business partner Garrett Reynolds who bought all in to my crazy dream and not only helped back the project financially but helped keep me on the right track when I was questioning myself.
Flash-forward to today and the park has been open about one year. In that time, Fetch has not only been featured by The Travel Channel but has also won numerous awards including being named to Best Of Atlanta by Jezebel Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, & Creative Loafing! With phase 2 of Fetch Park Atlanta set to begin in the coming weeks, expansion is also in the works to make Fetch happen in other markets in the southeast!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Fetch Park story. Tell us more about the business.
Fetch Park is Georgia’s first and only dog park bar. We are a membership-based off-leash dog park that features a full-service bar and coffee bar out of a converted 1976 airstream, the park has lighting throughout, outdoor TVs, wifi, dog cooling stations, and a dog bathing station. At Fetch safety is paramount all owners must not only be able to provide proof of vaccination for DHLPP, Bordetella, & Rabies but they must also sign liability waivers stating their dog is friendly and social. Fetch is a place where both people and pups can truly “Unleash & Unwind”!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think you will see more and more dog park bars opening up all over the country. People love their dogs and sadly most cities are not that dog friendly. Having a place where both you and your pup can socialize is something that every city should have.
Pricing:
- Fetch Park is free for people, no pup of your own is needed!
- Recurring monthly membership per dog is $30
- Month to Month membership per dog is $40
- A year membership is $275
- Day passes are $10 per pup
Contact Info:
- Address: 520 Daniel Street SE Atlanta GA, 30312
- Website: www.FetchParkAtl.com
- Email: Memberships@FetchParkAtl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fetchpark/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FetchParkAtl/
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