Smooch your dog? Hug your pet? Debi Khan and her family, owners of 15 rescue dogs and several cats, do a lot of pet-hugging. That urge, and finding their cat sleeping in the sink, drove them to design a bed that hugs pets. They call their company Smucci Too! (“a smooch with a bit of Gucci”) and recently opened House of Smucci in downtown Sylvania, where they offer customers a chance to build the pet bed of their (pets’) dreams. Their beds have been featured on the CBS Early Show and in several pet magazines, and were used by Disney in the film Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2.
After several years as an Internet business, the Khans have moved their inventory to the store. Customers begin with a round vinyl base, choose colored wooden feet and a cushion, then find an aerated PVC surround to “make the hug.” Son Jamie designs all the graphics for the surrounds; one series features nature scenes (bamboo, stone, sand), another a truck look. Special surround art includes famous artists (like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers) or holiday scenes — there are even several based on a Prada dress. The beds range from $159 to $199, depending on the size of the animal.
“I’m proud to say that we use all ‘Made in USA’ components,” Khan explains, “and all of our artwork is original. It all comes from Jamie’s imagination. We use our own pets in our ads, too, so everything about our business is fun!”
House of Smucci, 5930 Main St., Sylvania. 567-694-4124. www.SmucciToo.com. Open 10am-6pm Mon. thru Sat., and 10am-2pm Sun., with extended evening hours on Monday. —CH
