This new ice cream shop and bakery for dogs is opening in Milwaukee's Third Ward soon

A new ice cream shop and bakery is soon opening in Milwaukee's Third Ward — but it's not for humans.

It's for their four-legged, furry friends.

Salty Paws Milwaukee — the Delaware-based franchise's first Wisconsin location — will serve up more than eight flavors of ice cream, as well as bakery, bones and toys for dogs.

"Dogs have been such a big part of my life and have brought so much joy that I feel like we need to celebrate them everyday because their lives are so short but their impact is so big," said Linda Smith, the Milwaukee location's owner.

About a year ago, Smith threw a 1st birthday party for her French bulldog Coconut at Dogtopia, where the dog attended daycare. With 10 of Coconut's dog friends and their people parents, the princess-themed celebration featured a ball pit, dog cake, pup-friendly sandwiches from Riley's Sandwich Co., a dog photographer and decorations.

"I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is one of the best days of my life. This is so much fun,' " said Smith, a lifelong dog lover.

It was a hit with the dogs and humans alike, and guests told Smith that she should be a dog party planner, she said.

After Smith posted an Instagram Reel about the party, more dog-related videos started filling her feed, including ones on Salty Paws Pittsburgh.

"I thought it was a really fun, cute idea," Smith said.

Last spring, Smith decided to travel to Pennsylvania and check out the shop. When she told her friends that someone should bring one to Milwaukee, they said she should. And now, that's what she's doing.

"My goal in opening the store is to be able to help people have fun with their dog and just bring joy to people's lives," Smith said.

Salty Paws plans to make its Brew City debut on March 18. Here's what to know about the business, from its ice cream flavors and toppings to hours.

Salty Paws will carry eight to 12 ice cream flavors, as well as toppings

The shop will carry between eight and 12 flavors of ice cream for dogs at any given time.

There will be eight staples, including bacon, banana cream, blueberry, cheese, peanut butter and carob. Seasonal offerings will rotate in, such as strawberry daiquiri.

Customers can also choose to mix flavors, like maple with bacon or banana cream with blueberry, Smith said.

The ice creams have a "really limited ingredient panel" that includes lactose-free whole milk or goat milk and gelatin, she said.

And like most ice cream shops, toppings are available. They include cookies, yogurt chips, and a variety of dehydrated proteins, including chicken, beef, turkey, venison and rabbit.

The ice cream can be served in a dog bowl, cone, waffle bowl or to-go cup.

The shop's bakery and bones bar

Salty Paws will have "so many adorable cookies," Smith said, including ones that look like hotdogs, cinnamon rolls, crowns, birthday cakes, pretzels, 3-D hamburgers, and ones in cocktail shapes that have "Maker's Bark" and "barkarita" written on them.

There will also be doggie doughnuts and cakes, as well as a "bones bar" with bones filled with peanut butter, beef or chicken; collagen sticks; bully sticks; antlers; pig ears; sausages; dehydrated meats; and more.

Toys that the shop will sell

Salty Paws will have a variety of toys for sale, including stuffed toys, water toys, balls, toys for tough chewers, and enrichment toys like lick mats.

A look at the shop's location, space

"Third Ward is just very dog friendly, and continues to become more and more so," Smith said. "(I) just felt that was the place to be."

Salty Paws, 121 N Jefferson Street, is located by other dog-friendly businesses, à la Riley's Sandwich Co. and Riley's Social House.

While Smith looked at a lot of spaces, she said, this one saw the most dogs. And as a "frequent" supporter of Riley's, she really liked the idea of being "around the corner from them."

The Salty Paws' space features tables and chairs that both dogs and their humans can sit at, and a photo booth with props.

The business plans to host birthday parties, breed meetups, holiday events and ice cream socials.

This isn't the first time Smith and her dog have worked together

Coconut had been Smith's "coworker" for nearly three years while she worked remotely from home as a software business analyst.

"She makes every day better," Smith said. "She is so funny and playful, and just makes me laugh."

And now, the two will get to continue working together, with Coconut being part of the Salty Paws Milwaukee "welcoming committee," Smith said.

"She is very social," Smith said. "She loves going places ... She just loves meeting people. She loves all dogs ... It's a really good fit for her."

Salty Paws Milwaukee hours, a glimpse at the pricing

Salty Paws Milwaukee will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Ice cream starts at $4.99 for one scoop in a regular bowl, a waffle bowl costs $6.99, and toppings cost about $1 each. Cookies are priced between $2 and $6. Bones bar offerings range from $2 to $18. Cakes cost $15 to over $30.

For more info and updates, visit facebook.com/SaltyPawsMke.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ice cream shop, bakery for dogs opening in Milwaukee Third Ward