Panda's Coffee House is named after the real Panda — an 11-year-old retired racing greyhound who is, without question, my world.
Panda retired from racing at just 5 years old, and like a lot of racing greyhounds, she had to learn how to be a regular dog from scratch. Stairs, soft beds, toys, the whole idea of a couch being a place to relax — none of it came naturally at first. These days, she's mastered it. She's a happy, affectionate dog, and the local wildlife seems to know it: the deer don't run when they see her, the birds don't even pause at the feeder while she's nearby, and the rabbits are perfectly content sharing the yard with her. Her favorite spots are the bed, the couch, or whichever pillow she's claimed that week, and she has strong, unwavering opinions about her toys and her treats.
Because I only want the best for her, I go out of my way to find treats made in the USA, with no ingredients sourced from China. That same standard — no shortcuts, no compromises — is what this store is built on for every product we carry, pet supplies included. We look to highlight small businesses and handmade over bulk treats that you can find in the big box stores.
The coffee side of the business came from a similar kind of frustration. I spent 30 years drinking the same coffee, and then, one day, it just wasn't the same anymore — the company had changed something, and what came out of my cup was suddenly sharp and acidic instead of the smooth, rich coffee I'd counted on for decades. After a lot of searching, I found a small batch roaster willing to roast coffee to my exact standards: rich, smooth, and low in acidity. That's the coffee we sell here.
So that's Panda's Coffee House — good coffee, good treats, and a very good dog behind both