Dogs deserve ice cream too.
It was last Christmas when Wendy Roberts gave Virginia Roy takeaway ice cream for dogs. Over a bottle of wine, the two had an idea.
“Baskin-Robbins for dogs,” Roy said. “A safe place for dogs and where everything is just for them.”
The idea became a reality last month when the duo opened Cones For Bones, Tucson’s first dog ice cream bar. There are eight flavors to choose from: peanut butter, banana, birthday cake, bacon, vanilla, cheddar, blueberry, and a dog-safe chocolate version. Toppings like biscuits and mini sausages are also part of the fun. The ice cream comes in packaging from a supplier, but Roberts, Roy and employee Lori Day chill it before putting it in giant bins to collect for the dogs.
You can bring your pup to eat the ice cream inside the store, 6121 E. Broadway, or you can grab a pint to go. There are also tasters – like a beer flight but with dog ice cream.
Virginia Roy, co-owner of Cones For Bones, places toppings on a bowl of ice cream for her dog, Snickerdoodle, on November 24.
“Everyone who comes in here says, ‘I wish there were more,’” Roberts said.
Beyond the ice cream, there are dog toys, pet clothing racks and shelves of cookies that will soon be supplied by Dogs-n-Donuts of Tucson. Cones For Bones also has a space they plan to use for dog birthday parties.
“I’ve heard of all kinds of parties under the sun (for dogs): birthday parties, adoption parties, even baby showers for your dogs,” says Roberts. “There are parties for everything these days, so we thought, why not? It would be a lot of fun and less mess for people to clean up at home. And who wants six or seven dogs in their house eating a birthday cake ?”
Cones For Bones sells dog treats and ice cream.
Cones For Bones offers a dog-friendly birthday cake, as well as treats for partygoers. Roberts even thought about using the space to host corporate events.
The entire concept of Cones For Bones is rooted in Roy, Roberts and Day’s love of dogs. They launched Karma’s Corner, named after one of Roy’s Australian Shepherds, which is an area of the store where community members can drop off pet items to donate to local rescues.
There’s also a “Dogs of Tucson” wall: pay $20 to display a photo of your dog. Half goes to the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), the other half goes to printing services and the picture frame. Roberts hopes the entire wall will be filled in one day.
Once the duo breaks even on the business, the plan is to return the profits to PACC after rent, utilities and merchandise are paid. Even though they haven’t broken even on their business yet, Roy says they donate out of their own pocket to PACC every month because they want to stay true to their mission.
“Which started with, ‘Isn’t that a cute idea?’ “transformed into a spirit of generosity and compassion towards animals”, says Roy.
Cones For Bones sells dog treats and ice cream.
The business has been a success so far. A dog came in and sniffed each cookie before deciding which one he wanted. Two friends came over with coffee, bought cookies for their dogs and just enjoyed the space. A couple visited the store on their first date, accompanied by their two dogs.
All three women behind the business have full-time jobs elsewhere, but Cones For Bones is their passion project and they are dedicated to making it work.
Of course, all three have their own dogs at home: Roy has two Australians named Karma and Doodle; Roberts has an English bulldog named Maggie and a chihuahua named Max; and Day has a heel named Bailey.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide a safe and fun space for pet parents to bring their best friends. Long term, Roberts would like Cones For Bones to open locations beyond Tucson to help rescues and pet organizations in other cities.
“I can’t stress enough how passionate we are about rescuing dogs and finding them homes,” Roy said.
Cones For Bones, 6121 E. Broadway, is open 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday to Sunday; closed Monday. Ice cream costs $4 for one scoop, $6 for two, $8 for three. For more information, visit the Cones For Bones website.
