A new idea for Main Street: Water bowls for pets

A new idea for Franklin’s business district is a first step toward revitalizing the atmosphere and success of local merchants.
“We’re trying to revitalize downtown Franklin,” Diane Wiltz said. She is chairman of the re-drawn Franklin Merchants Association. “Along with that, we’re trying to revitalize the association…and we’re trying to do things to change the culture on Main Street.”
Wiltz said Franklin’s business district is a “pedestrian-friendly culture. That’s what we have here, particularly Main Street. Let’s add something to the anty. We see people walking with pets in the evening, and we thought we would do like some other cities across America, and that is put some water bowls out. If you’re out there walking your pet, they can hydrate; living down here in the South where the heat is brutal.”
Merchants have placed those bowls in front of their places of business. But Wiltz said the group wanted to go a little further.
“Let’s invite them in,” she said of shoppers with pets. “Then we have the signs printed that say ‘Pets Welcome’ and now we want to invite those pedestrians to come in and possibly be shoppers.”
Even if they don’t make a purchase, Wiltz said the idea displays a “small town friendliness that we might have been missing out on as we try to do this revitalization process. We have a lot of people that travel with their pets, and they may be coming from towns and places that already have the kind of thing.”
It’s a unique idea for this area. “Starting in October, here we go with the new pet welcome culture among merchants. Then of course the Harvest Moon Festival is coming up. We have visitors from a lot of places, and we want people that have pets to be a part of that. We don’t want anybody to feel left out because they have a pet.”
Pets must be leash-trained, people-friendly and potty-trained. Some merchants, because of the type of inventory they handle, may not participate for obvious reasons.
“They may not be able to invite the pet in, but certainly they’ll be able to have a drink of water,” Wiltz said.
Merchants who don’t yet have a pet water bowl and a welcome sign can contact Wiltz to get them.
“This year for the Harvest Moon Festival we’re bringing back the much-loved pets in costumes,” she said.
That event, the Halloween Mutt-Street will be at 1 p.m. during the festival on Oct. 28. Entry fee is $10 and registration is ongoing until Oct. 23, at Korrie’s Kozy Kennels and Pet Salon, The French Door and The Lamp Lighter. 1-3 place prizes will be awarded.