If you’ve ever walked into Shades and been greeted by a wagging tail before you even had the chance to say hello, you’re not alone. Dogs have been part of the Shades family for as long as we can remember, and it all started with one very special pup.
Back in 2006, Shades had one official store dog: Lola. She was the OG, the welcoming committee, and the best coworker you could ask for. Whether you came in to shop, browse, or just soak up the Wharf vibes, Lola was always there making everyone feel right at home.
But as anyone with a good dog knows, once you have one, it’s hard to stop there.
Before we knew it, Lola didn’t just make the store more fun. She set the tone for our entire culture. It didn’t take long for the rest of the team to think, “Wait… can I bring my dog too?” And honestly, how could we say no?
What started as one store dog quickly turned into what we lovingly call the Shades Dogs. Our employees began bringing their dogs, and over time it became part of what makes Shades feel like Shades. Now, every store has a pup (or more!) hanging out, spreading smiles, soaking up belly rubs, and making shopping a whole lot more entertaining.
And while we love all dogs, there’s one breed that will always have a special place in our hearts.
Golden Retrievers: The Original Shades Dogs 💛
Golden Retrievers were our OG dogs, and they helped shape the dog-friendly energy we’re known for today. They’re sweet, playful, friendly, and always ready to make a new best friend, which is pretty much the Shades vibe in dog form.
That’s why we’re so excited to celebrate National Golden Retriever Day (February 3), even if we’re celebrating a little early.
Join Us for Our Golden Retriever Meet-Up!
We’re hosting a Golden Retriever Meet-Up at Shades at The Wharf for an afternoon full of tail wags, photo ops, new friends, and golden energy. We’ll meet at Shades first, then take a short group walk over to Portside for photos and playtime.
Event Schedule
🕐 1:00 PM Meet at Shades to say hello, mingle, shop, and meet other golden families.
🕑 2:00 PM Walk to Portside together for group photos and some fun playtime.
🕒 3:00 PM Official wrap-up (but feel free to hang out as long as you’d like!)
What to Bring
✅ Your golden (and their best smile!)
✅ A leash
All friendly pups are welcome—goldens encouraged!
Bonus!
Bring your pup to any store the weekend of Jan 31–Feb 1 and enjoy an extra 10% off your purchase at all locations!
Whether you’ve been part of the Shades family since the Lola days or you’re stopping by for your very first golden meet-up, we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
