By Marisa Dawson
A steady flow of pet lovers and small business supporters filled Fetch Pet Emporium in Bennington last Saturday morning as the locally owned shop hosted its latest pet boutique event, bringing together vendors, handcrafted goods, and a shared passion for animals.
For owner Jocelyn Nickerson, the boutique has become a recurring way to connect both customers and fellow entrepreneurs. “This is our third time offering this Spring pet boutique,” Nickerson said. “It’s for vendors that have pet themed items, holistic items, treats, bandanas, that kind of stuff.”
The event is part of a series held throughout the year. “We do this two to three times a year with our Spring Pet Boutique, our Wellness Pet Boutique, and our Holiday Pet Boutique,” she added.
At its core, Nickerson said the goal is simple: support. “We are a small business. We want to support other small businesses so we bring them in and so they can showcase their items to our clients,” she said.
That support was evident among vendors, including Kathy Palmer and Susan Corbin (both pictured below), who brought a variety of handmade, animal-themed crafts to the boutique. The pair said they discovered the event through social media and saw it as a natural fit for their growing focus on pet-related items. “We saw this on Facebook and thought it would be an interesting idea,” Palmer said. “We do crafts, and we’re starting to specialize in animals- dogs, cats, horses…”
Describing their work as “eclectic,” the duo showcased a wide range of creations. For them, events like this offer both exposure and connection. “We love showing off our work, and we love it more when people buy it because we get all sorts of feedback, information, and appreciation out of it,” Palmer said.
While they often participate in larger craft shows, the boutique provided a more niche, pet-focused audience. Corbin also highlighted a cause close to her heart, sharing information about Furball Farm Cat Sanctuary in Minnesota. “It is for feral cats, and it’s an amazing place,” she said. “They have over 350 cats that they’re caring for, and it’s just an amazing place.” They had materials available from the sanctuary to help spread the word.
Another returning vendor, Judy Suedmeier (pictured below), said she has participated in multiple boutique events hosted by Fetch over the years and sees them as a valuable way to kick off the busy season. “I’ve been doing this with Fetch for several years,” Suedmeier said. “It’s actually kind of a really nice way to get your name out… Start the market season.”
Suedmeier, whose products emphasize organic and natural ingredients, said the boutique allows her to connect directly with customers and share her approach to pet care. “My big thing is my stuff is all organic and natural,” she said. “So I take a little more holistic approach… anytime I can talk to people about that and get them to think about what they’re doing and how they’re caring for their dogs is awesome.”
Beyond business, she emphasized the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs in an increasingly competitive retail landscape. “I am a huge supporter… anytime I can, I will go out of my way to purchase from small businesses,” Suedmeier said. “They’re the biggest part of the community.”
With a mix of returning favorites and new faces each time, Nickerson said the boutique continues to evolve while staying rooted in its mission of community support.
From handcrafted goods to meaningful conversations, Saturday’s event reflected more than just a shopping experience. It highlighted the collaborative spirit that keeps small businesses in Bennington thriving.
