Clean up on Aisle 3.

If you think you're seeing more dogs these days at your favorite hardware store or eatery, you're not imaging things.

Metro businesses of all stripes, from Home Depot to Macy's to your favorite al fresco haunt on the Marietta Square or along the Beltline, are allowing dogs on their premises to lure customers who don't want to leave Fido at home.

April 4, 2016 Atlanta: Cami, an old English sheep dog, sits beside owner Dave Higgins on the patio of Nancy G's Cafe where dogs have been welcome for the last eight years and there is even a dog menu. Ben Gray / bgray@ajc.com
icon to expand image

April 4, 2016 Atlanta: Cami, an old English sheep dog, sits beside owner Dave Higgins on the patio of Nancy G’s Cafe where dogs have been welcome for the last eight years and there is even a dog menu. Ben Gray / bgray@ajc.com

Not everyone is embracing the open-door policy and think businesses are barking up the wrong money tree.

“I think it is absolutely disgusting to bring animals into restaurants,” a poster called BonnieAkridge wrote in response to an ajc.com story on dog-friendly Atlanta restaurants. “They are dirty, their fur hides bugs that can easily jump onto you, some may even have diseases their owners don’t know about and all this is around people eating food.”

How do you feel about the issue? Click here to way in.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Hyundai says it plans to hire 3,000 more workers in Georgia and increase production to 500,000 units annually at the 16 million-square-foot factory it calls the Metaplant by 2028. (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group)

Credit: Hyundai Motor Group

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com