Nick’s Has Treats for Dogs – and People, Too
online dog treat business expands into coffee shop, further supporting communities and people with disabilities
photos by Andrea Paulseth, by Evie Heidel
When Nick Napolitano was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy at 11 months old, his mother, Jennifer Hinze, knew that she was going to play huge roles in Nick’s life. Little did she know that their path would include entrepreneurship and a chance to change the lives of many in their community.
Back in 2018, Jennifer and Nick co-founded a company called Nick’s Dog Treats, and business has been booming for them ever since. With outreach and support from the communities around the Chippewa Valley, they have since expanded into Nick’s Dog Treats and Coffee Brew with a shop located at 318 E. Lincoln St. in Augusta, about a half-hour drive east of Eau Claire.
Change can sometimes be scary, but it can also be extremely exciting and grow into something great. The family family said that starting small in their home and growing to the point that they were able to purchase the building and grow the team to what it is today has been one of their favorite parts of this ongoing adventure.
The cute shop has a comfortable feel to it, welcoming anybody and everybody inside the doors. “We of course wanted it to be inclusive for physical disabilities making the shop accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and such, but also inclusive to dietary restrictions,” Jennifer said.
They have a range of items in their storefront, from T-shirts, mugs, trinkets, to their staple dog treats, a wide range of dry coffee, and other desserts for people to enjoy. They also feature a large selection of sugar-free and dairy-free options with their fresh coffee, including a dairy-free cold foam.
“When we started selling our dog treats online, we had several people reach out stating they didn't have a dog, but they wanted to support us. Most people enjoy coffee, so it seemed like a logical next step,” Jennifer said. Having made this expansion out of their home and into a new space, only good things have come to this wonderful group.
The main goal of starting Nick’s Dog Treats was to create jobs and meaningful work opportunities for those with disabilities, so people like Nick could gain job experience and expand their resumes. With the addition of the Coffee Brew, they have furthered that mission. “It’s more than a paycheck. It's creating relationships with your co-workers, networking with other professionals, and being part of a community,” Jennifer said.
Maintaining their inclusive environment is something that Nick’s Dog Treats strives to uphold. “We have worked hard to create an environment that provides all of this for our team and encourages them to take ownership of our success,” she said. Working together as a team and having created their own family-like community is a huge success and accomplishment for this small business.
From a lineup of new themed drinks every month to having partnered up with Door County Coffee & Tea Co., Nick’s Dog Treats and Coffee Brew has really morphed into something beautiful. “Happiness, kindness, and inclusiveness is the general atmosphere. We want everyone who walks into our shop to feel welcomed, accepted, and leave in a better mood than they came in with,” Jennifer said.
With the constant support from the community, their business continues to thrive and grow. Stop into the shop Monday through Saturday to support the local business and to try some amazing coffee beverages, including Door County Vibes, one of the more popular drinks this fall season. It features flavors of caramel and pistachio.
To check out more of what Nick’s Dog Treats and Coffee Brew has to offer, to donate to Nick’s cause, and to see updated menus and hours of operation, check out their website.
Nick's Dog Treats and Coffee Brew (318 E. Lincoln St. in Augusta) is open Monday-Saturday • Keep up with the business on Facebook • Learn more at nicksdogtreats.com