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The long-time owners of Murphy’s Paw will hold a “Goodbye” reception starting at 6 p.m. tonight at their popular pet store at 410 Main St.
Melanie and Mike Sadek sold the business to Dean and Annamarie Mancini earlier this month and will turn the keys over to the new owners tomorrow. The Mancinis plan to keep the name of the store although they will change some of the merchandise.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Melanie Sadek, who recently was hired as executive director of the Valley Humane Society. “But it’s been a good run and we have many Pleasanton friends as a result.”
With her new full-time job and with like Sadek now working full time at Workday, the couple found the economy too tough to employ salaried personnel to manage the store and keep it open seven days a week, which Melanie said is required these days.
Friday night’s reception, which will end at 9 p.m., will give customers a chance to say goodbye to the Sadeks as well as welcome the Mancinis.
Melanie Sadek said she will continue serving as a board member of the Pleasanton Downtown Association through the end of the year, and then plans to join the organization as an auxiliary member since Valley Humane Society, located on Nevada Street, is not a downtown business.
Please tell these new owners that if they continue to encourage people to bring dogs everywhere downtown they need to provide a dog sitting service. Dogs are forbidden to be in the farmer’s market, by the health department, yet the Sadek’s encouraged everyone to bring them downtown anyway and many ended up in or near the food stalls. The health department can shut down the market for violations like that. All they need is photos of the dogs where they don’t belong and it will happen.
Some of us prefer our food minus the dog hair and slobber. Some of us also no longer patronize restaurants that allow dogs near the food or other diners. If I wanted my crotch sniffed I would not choose a dog to do it.
“Former Shopper”- What a grump!! You might feel better if you befriended one of the adorable furry friends. Thank you Sadeks, for this wonderful store. The atmosphere in this store was so welcoming. Best wishes to the new owners.
Dogs were in the Farmer’s Market area long before the opening of Murphy’s Paw.
I have an assistance dog that legally can be in the Farmer’s Market area and I choose to let her at home each Saturday. Even with legal access, I honor the signs. That’s probably why it really bothers me when others ignore them.
If dogs are behaving badly, blame the owners. But well mannered dogs (and their owners) can be a positive part of any community.
What the heck are you talking about Mr/Ms Grumpy Pants?? Did you mean to start this string under a different heading perhaps? For instance something to do with the Farmers Market!
The new owners of Murphy’s Paw are probably not robot clones of the Sadeks… and as crazy as it sounds…they may not run their business the same. I am sure neither the new owners, nor the past owners of MP have strongarmed downtown businesses into letting dogs on their patio dining spaces. For that matter just because the former owners of MP encouraged a downtown walk to their store on farmer’s market day doesn’t mean they are responsible for dog owners ignoring the huge posted signs to keep their dogs out of that particular area.
I am just sorry some poor dog may have sniffed your grouchy croch :/
As for me, I welcome the new owners. I am glad the space will not go empty like so many others have.
Manie and Mike. It has been a pleasure working with you to promote downtown. We will miss you and welcome the new owners. To all reading this. As the owner of Baci Bistro and Bar 500 Main Street and Cafe Main 401 Main Street. We have always considered dogs people too and wholeheartedly welcome your dogs at both restaurants outside seating. Just would like to clear the air:)) all the best Melanie and Mike!
I find it odd that people choose to move around in the company of dogs.
Mike
I love dogs.
Having said that – not everyone does. And, not everyone has had positive experiences with an animal…and is very scared of any animal that might approach them. The ‘other’ person has no idea how well trained your dog may be. He/she have no idea if the animal will bite, or just wants to run, or jump on them…or ????.
Some people have been bitten by a dog while minding their own business (I know from personal experience).
Having a dog – ON LEASH, is not an issue, per se. However I am against having animals laying under the table at an outdoor eatery.
If someone approaches an adjoining table, ‘many’ animals will want to approach the person. Not all…but some. And, it only takes 1 animal to scare the heck out of that person.
We as animal lovers should be more cautious…and not put our animals in a position were they may be scared, or may make a movement that is misunderstood by another patron – and thus, cause a bite.
IT HAS HAPPENED…and it has happened in Pleasanton.
If you want to dine near other patrons (inside or outside), then leave the animal at home. If you want to take a stroll with a dog on leach – go for it.
But, please…..please – don’t assume that everyone else around you knows how cute and cuddly your animal is. They don’t…and of some people, it is extremely scary to have a dog near them that they do not know.
If a restaurant owner allows animals in the dining area – inside or outside – they do not get my business….and I believe there are laws against such in Pleasanton. Perhaps the owner of Baci (Mike) can enlighten me on the law for animals in a dining location.
I love dogs and I don’t care where they hang out. Doesn’t bother me.
People do more than bite, just read the blog.
Nobody needs your business so much that other loving beings are excluded.
are you a pidgeon? some people are too unhappy to appreciate dogs.
Thanks for your input 2 cents. RE: dogs in the eating area, the Alameda health department told me that dogs are not allowed in the enclosed eating area at ANY restaurant in this county unless they are service dogs. All they need is a cell phone photo emailed to them and they will pursue the violation.
My sister has had the scars on her face for her entire lifetime where she was bitten by a dog who “loves kids and won’t bite anyone”. Whether or not you like dogs, they do not belong everywhere.
About those so-called “service animals” . . . people who make that claim merely to bring their yappy little pocket dogs everywhere need to be called on it. Real service animals are a great thing. I just sat on a plane next to a woman who claimed her smelly, squirmy little rat dog was a service animal because she “gets nervous in public”. Next plane ride I might bring my “service snake” or my “service porcupine” or how about my “service skunk”? If people can make such ridiculous claims just to bring an unwanted dog on board then watch out, here I come.
So, Mike of Baci, how do you feel about my “service horse” settling in on your dining patio?
Dogs are less likely to cause problems then the children and the double-wide carriages that their parents insist on bringing to places with very small room to move. I say allow the dogs and keep the children and their carriages OUT. Seems more and more parents these days allow their children to run and scream in the most inappropriate places.
I’ll take a well-mannered dog downtown over some of snotty, bratty, loud & obnoxious overly pampered brats some “parents” bring into the restaurants downtown these days.
I don’t care if YOU think your child is gifted/genius or just “special” the rest of us just want to put a muzzle on them & put THEM in a kennel.
Remember Helicopter Mommies of Pleasanton, there are no ribbons for 8th place.
Once again the Town Square Forum goes off topic. This story is about one of the few award-winning RETAIL STORES in downtown Pleasanton changing ownership. Nice to see a business being sold instead of another one biting the dust. I haven’t been to Murphy’s in a while, but I plan on dropping by tonight as my prior experiences have been positive. Those who want to talk dogs, kids, and restaurants might want to start another thread.
Congrats to the owners of Murphy’s Paw, both former and current!
I was in the midst of typing-up the same type of note but you beat me to it. I’m glad Murphy’s Paw is sticking around!!
I really don’t know how this announcement turned into a conversation about dogs, the farmers market and restaurants in downtown. I would much rather stroll downtown with dogs than with grumps.
Melanie and Mike Sadek not only ran a top notch award winning retail store for the past several years but Melanie has been very involved in the retail climate of downtown trying to keep it vibrant in a difficult economic environment. Best wishes to Dean and Annamarie Mancini for the continued success of Murphys Paw!
Loved Murphy’s Paw and happy to see that the Dog Friendly store will continue to be at this site ~ It’s Unique and that is what I’d like to see in my downtown shopping on Main Street. Welcome to the New Owners ~
A house isn’t a home without a few furry friends always around (dogs and cats). But I understand there are some people who do not want a dog near them out in public (they probably haven’t liked dogs since they were little). (I wish the puppy mills and pet adoption centers would spot these people when they think the cute little puppy is a perfect addition to their home, but decide differently when it grows up and ends up at the shelter.) In public, please be respectful and keep your dog close to you and well-behaved.
I also seem to remember someone questioning whether the amount of money Valley Humane Center paid its director might not be overly generous for someone who was also busy running another business.
If this was a factor in the decision, then I would call it a victory for ethical fiscal management. It would also show a greater respect and appreciation for the generosity of those who donate money to the Center as well as greater respect and appreciation for the individuals who give their time and talent to the Center for free.
Mike