A paws-itively exciting new business has made its way to Downtown Southern Pines, catering to Moore County pet lovers and their four-legged friends. Dog and cats of the Sandhills can now be treated (did someone say ‘treat?’) to the finer things in life at Urban Pet Co.
Gracie Scarboro, the 19-year-old owner of the new pet supply store, has turned her lifelong passion for animals into a thriving business. A Moore County native and soon-to-be business graduate from Liberty University, Gracie opened the store on Dec. 7, just two short months after deciding to pursue her dream.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” explained the young entrepreneur. “We’d visit stores like this in Los Angeles and California, and I wanted to bring that experience here. I’m all about keeping pets healthy so they can be your baby that much longer.”
The store specializes in raw and freeze-dried pet foods, which Gracie noted is a growing trend among pet owners to prioritize health and nutrition for their pets. Gracie said these products have been especially popular with her customers, though there are plenty of dog and cat toys, leashes, and treats in stock, too, and many are from small business owners.
“It’s all about giving pets the best” is Gracie’s philosophy.
The shop even has treats for humans. Urban Pet Co. is outfitted with a small coffee bar featuring coffee from Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co., a California-based coffee company that donates 20% of all sales to rescues actively helping dogs.
Scarborough’s love for animals is lifelong and deeply personal: though she grew up with guinea pigs and other small animals, she was afraid of dogs for most of her life. It wasn’t until her family adopted two puppies during COVID that her fear of dogs eased, and she was able to have more hands-on experience.
Today, Gracie has a rescue dog named Luna, a “boxer-pit bull-shepherd mix” adopted from local rescue Caring Hearts for Canines.
Gracie credits her grandmother, Linda, for inspiring her love of animals. Together, they volunteer at area shelters and keep up with local rescues. Each month, a portion of the store’s proceeds is donated to a different animal rescue organization, including Caring Hearts for Canines, Rogue Active Duty Animal Rescue, and Animal Advocates of Moore County.
Gracie’s journey to opening the store wasn’t without its challenges. From finding vendors to setting up the building and inventory, the process required countless late nights. “We’d be here until midnight working on everything,” Gracie recalled. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
Looking ahead, Gracie hopes to one day expand her business with a second location in downtown Pinehurst. For now, though, she’s happy serving the community (both two-legged and four-legged) from the shop’s pilot location.
“Seeing the dogs and having people bring their pets into the store is the best part,” she admitted, smiling. “Like my motto says: all about the pets. I care about how they’re doing and want to keep them healthy.”
To learn more, visit Urban Pet Co. at 143 NE Broad St B, Southern Pines, find them on social media, or visit www.urbanpetco.net.
~Article, photo and video by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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