Dog cafe pops up in Orlando’s Curry Ford West district

You may be familiar with cat cafes, but what about a dog cafe? That’s a new concept pet parents and animal enthusiasts can enjoy at a pop-up coffee shop in Orlando’s Curry Ford West district.

Sam & George Coffee Co. was created by Fran Chong and her husband, Adam, in an effort to provide a dog-friendly space to enjoy coffee and connect potential pup parents with adoptable pooches.

“Originally, we wanted it to be very similar to a cat cafe where every day there are dogs up for adoption. The hurdle that we would need to jump through is that all the dogs that would be here would need to be fostered by us,” Chong said. “Instead, you’re able to bring your dog with you, sip on coffee … but we will designate one or two weekends a month for special adoption events at the cafe.”

The adoptable dogs will come from Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, an organization that Chong said has been very supportive of her business idea.

“We’re big believers that when you take the dog out of the shelter and bring him into a setting that resembles a home, their true personalities do shine,” she said. “I think that would be a better way to see if the dog matches with the potential owner.”

The coffee is sourced from Axum Coffee, a company whose mission it is to “make a difference” and cultivate community.

At the Curry Ford pop-up shop, which will be open through July 18, a chic atmosphere, complete with a wooden coffee bar and seating, welcomes in visitors and their pups.

“We’ve tried to incorporate that homey idea. There are couches, it’s a great place to come and chill with your dog,” Chong said.

The name for Sam & George Coffee Co. was inspired by Fran and Adam’s two dogs, an 11-year-old German Shepard/ Rottweiler mix, Sam, and nineyear-old Basenji/Boxer mix

George. The two made an appearance at the pop-up Friday, and other dogs were not allowed in that day.

“We originally had a different company name, it was very generic,” Chong said. “We realized we wanted it to be more personal, and we were like, ‘Why don’t we name it after the dogs?’ … There’s a story behind the name and when our dogs do pass on, they’ll still be living on through their legacy.”

The business is still looking for a permanent location but Chong said she’s open to the possibility of setting up shop in Curry Ford West following the pop-up.

“We would definitely be open with staying where we are because we’d love to bring shelter pups during adoption weekends to this side of town,” she said. “We are a part of the Curry Ford West district, so we would ideally love to stay here but that would need to be a conversation once the pop-up ends.”

Sam & George Coffee

Co. is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. MondayFriday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday through July 18 at 2850 Curry Ford Road in Orlando. Dogs are welcome. Find more information

at samandgeorge.co.