In recent years, more pet-focused businesses have been appearing in the area.

Locally owned pet stores offer products such as holistic pet foods, freshly-baked treats and self-service grooming areas. Mobile pet salons will bring grooming services right to pet owners' doors, and doggy day cares will keep your pet entertained while you're away for the day.

But there are businesses in the area that are pet-friendly, even though they do not cater specifically to four-legged customers.

"We have a lot of people who walk down Main Street with their dogs, and they just come on in," said Kelli Seabaugh, owner of Threadz.

"I have trained dogs in the past, and we always needed places to take the dogs to help them socialize," said Dawn Flickinger, owner of Yearning 4 Yarn. "And to me it's so sad when you're walking around downtown with your pet and you can't come into the shop because it's not pet-friendly."

Antique stores such as Spanish Street Mercantile and Brick Street Gallery allow well-behaved, leashed pets in their store.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri allows pets in its gallery and organizes the Pet Friendly Art Walk each year.

During the Art Walk, a number of downtown retailers open their doors to people and their pets for one night, even if they otherwise would not allow animals.

The canine welcome extends beyond Old Town Cape.

"Most people don't know that we're pet-friendly," said Brian Kelpe, owner of the Missouri Running Co. "But since a lot of our customers have dogs as their running partners, and since we're located next to Busch, it just flows together."

Buchheit in Jackson allows leashed pets in its store, "but only if I can pet them," manager Jim Dumey said.

"We feel that pets are a part of the family, and our stores have been pet-friendly for years. It's just who we are," said Doug Buchheit, vice president of marketing.

Just because a business does not allow pets doesn't mean it's not friendly to those that drop by.

Several banks and gas stations with drive-through services keep treats on hand for canine visitors.

Andy's Frozen Custard offers miniature cones with custard to dogs that come to the order window.

Many businesses downtown will make water available in front of their store during the hot summer months.

Community Counseling Center honors Otto

A lifetime achievement award was presented by Community Counseling Center to honor Mary Ann Otto for her 37 years as a mental-health-services advocate.

The award was presented by Gene Speight at a luncheon attended by the CCC governing board and foundation board members, CCC administration and Otto's family.

Otto joined the center's governing board of directors in 1979 and was appointed secretary to the board in 1987.

"You could say that this lady has been responsible for the fiscal health of this organization for almost 30 years, which is an incredible legacy and achievement," said John Hinni, former Community Counseling Center governing board president.

Ribbon cutting

• The Jackson Civic Center and FEMA safe room, 381 Deerwood Drive in Jackson, will hold a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Business licenses

• USA Mortgage, 1353 N. Mount Auburn Road, Ste C., owned by Doug Schukar Spectrum Reach and Charter Communications Entertainment I LLC, is a mortgage company that opened Jan. 4.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630