NOLA Bark Market 3041 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70117

"Just walking in the building puts a smile on my face, every time. I'm probably leaving with art supplies and the pups leaving with a bag of mixed treats like it was damn Halloween. Definitely a great selection of both the aforementioned products and they're tendered with smile from any one of the nice people working. Can't recommend it enough."

"Called up to get pricing. Apparently I spoke with a owner. Who refused to give pricing , attitude out this world. Cut me off EVERYTIME I went to speak. As I’m speaking puts me on hold. Then hangs up. I call to ask who I’m speaking with of course it’s the owner - they say. How can you treat someone like that over the phone but expect them to come buy from your business? Can’t even make a actual complaint because the OWNER is the one doing it."

"When I first moved to town I was chronically homeless and I lived in my vehicle for 6 months before I was able to get indoors somewhere. I currently work full-time, 35 hours a week, and I'm going to graduate school going to class online for my Masters in Social Work. I make a fair paycheck but after rent, insurance, utilities, trash, water, internet, phone bills, a few groceries here and there, gas twice a month in my vehicle, and everything else in between I definitely don't have money left over each pay period let alone a savings account. The Bark Market has always been kind to us and helped us out. They are well known in town for their free dog food policy for the pups. Sometimes they make conversation, sometimes they hang out with the dogs, sometimes they ask how we're doing and ask genuine questions and sometimes they're just in a rush to get you in and out of there but no matter what I'm always grateful. Once I moved indoors across town I didn't need their services as often and I probably gone to the store less than seven times in my entire life. I know that sounds like a lot in terms of free food but I tried to buy it whenever I can. Last week Bobby had an accident and had to go to the vet and after paying her exam fee, her for her x-rays, and for her blood work labs I wasn't able to afford groceries this week nor much of anything else. It just so happens she ran out of food this week and I tried stopping by the New Orleans healing Center for food like I was instructed from the bark market but every time I go in there the place is empty. I came in today and the owner was pumping her drawer which I understand is a frustrating time to get another client for the day but I look past her irritated demeanor and asked if they had any dog food available by chance and was met with a sigh that racked her whole body and an eye roll. She then stated answered my question with of course you're looking for free dog food. And then she stated if anyone else is coming in for free dog food I wish they'd let me know now so I don't have to walk back here again and proceeded to walk to the back of the store. Upon her return she handed me a box of food on my bright, white, black, and red Jordan sneakers. She said wow, those look like some really nice sneakers you got there. And I thanked her, sincerely because I didn't realize what was happening at the time, and said thank you! I found them for $30 at Buffalo exchange. If anyone is familiar with Buffalo exchange It is a local second hand store where people bring name brand clothes. The whole point of it is that the clothes are normally expensive and our resold for affordable prices to people who otherwise couldn't purchased them brand new. I dealt with a lot of negative comments and Snyder marks during the past 9 years that I've been homeless off and on but never something like this. I've heard of people being discriminated against for their clothes or their sneakers but I didn't happen to me and I definitely didn't think it would happen at this local store that I had so much respect for and looked up to. I've had people make comments on why I have so many tattoos and how they could have must have cost thousands and thousands of dollars without taking into consideration that I am able to do them myself and at one point in time I had my own machine as well as a boyfriend who is a tattoo artist but this situation was nothing like that. If I thought I had to look homeless in order to get help from this woman or to try to convince her of my need I sure wouldn't have worn a pair of name brand sneakers to her shop. As I took my box of sample dog food that will be gone in 3 days due to having an older Siberian Husky and a cat with a bottomless picture of a stomach and found my front seat of my car windows started flowing. I don't think I have in me to come into this store and face this woman again and I would rather go back p panhandling and the uncertainty that it brings then to deal with this condescending woman and a judgment that she passed on me."

"What a great little place! We had to drop off some luggage between debarkation and our hotel being ready, and this was the perfect spot! It's a great old building. And within walking distance of so much, if that's what you're doing. Plus a variety of dog goods if you're shopping for your little friends. The lady there went above and beyond helping us in the morning and was very understanding. She gave us advice and recommendations. Again, I can't recommend it enough."