It's hard to believe that it's already been a whole year since we opened the shop door for the very first time, nervously welcomed our first customers and wondered what this little adventure might become.

What started as a dream has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined.

Over the past twelve months we've welcomed hundreds of dogs through our doors. Tiny puppies on their very first shopping trip. Wise old faces looking for a comfy new collar and a chill by our faux log fire. Excitable spaniels dragging their humans inside for some treats and then witnessing the struggle to get them to exit the shop now they know where the treat jar is. It's these moments that bring life to the building and these moments that have made it our home.

Of course, we make our dog gear, it's our origin story. But this past year has especially shown us that Wildbarc is about so much more than leads, collars and gravy bones. We often say to visitors "we're a shop of two halves" on the left you'll find our dog gear and the right is for well behaved humans.

It's become a place where people stop for a chat after a walk. Where holiday makers pop in because they've heard about us. Where local dog owners drop in after being recommended by friends. A place for directions to a pub, food or a satisfying local walk. Where we celebrate new puppies, spoil birthday dogs and hear stories from every adventure across the Brecon Beacons and beyond.

We've watched friendships form in the shop, met dogs whose names we now know before their humans, and shared countless laughs over muddy paws, zoomies and the wonderfully chaotic lives that come with owning a dog. That sense of community is something we'll never take for granted, and one that strecthe's far beyond Crickhowell with so many visitors to the town.

Like any first year, it hasn't all been easy. Running a small independent business comes with plenty of challenges, unexpected hurdles and moments where we've wondered what on earth we're doing! But every kind word, every recommendation and every familiar face walking back through the door has reminded us why it's all worth it.

Supporting a small business means so much more than making a purchase. It means helping someone's dream continue to grow, and for that we'll always be incredibly grateful.

So... let's celebrate!

Join us for our Birthday Weekend!

We'll be celebrating across both Saturday and Sunday with plenty of fun for both dogs and their humans.

• FREE Waita Puppuccino Station
• A Spin of the Instant Prize Wheel with every purchase
• The first FIVE people to come into the shop and say "BANANA!" will each get to choose a FREE collar from our collar wall.

It's going to be a fun weekend and we hope to see new and familiar faces pop by to say hello.

Do keep in mind though that it may be a hot weekend so please Do Not bring your dogs if the temps are too high. Better to be safe, always.

If you're planning to see us to combine a visit to pretty Crickhowell then it's the perfect weekend too. Saturday is the Crickhowell Food Festival and Sunday brings the Artisan Craft Fair to the high street, so the town will be full of fantastic local businesses, food, creativity and live music.

Can't make it to the shop?

We've got you covered.

Every online order placed between 00:01 on Saturday 27th and 11:59 on Sunday 28th June will automatically be entered into our big birthday prize draw, with one lucky winner receiving a Wildbarc goodie bag filled with treats for both dogs and humans, including stickers, patches, dog treats and a few extra surprises.

Diolch / Thank you

Before we blow out our first birthday candle, we just want to say thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has stepped through our door, had a look around, supported us, those who have shared photos, those who have told people to come see us and also to our wonderful online community who may live too far to visit but still absolutely shout from the rooftops about us. 

Most of all, thank you for helping turn Wildbarc into more than just a shop.

Here's to what we hope will be many more years of Wildbarc in our little red shop.

We can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend.

Love,

Vern, Emily and of course the queen herself... Lola x