Jameson is a 70-pound lab-huskie mix whose favorite fellow, furry four-legged friend is Danger, a 17-pound Boston terrier-poodle mix that is afraid of, well, just about everythingfrom leaves to car horns and almost everything in between.
"It's a very unlikely pair," said Gracie Whalen, owner of Danger.
"Jameson has a protective relationship with Danger, especially at the beach. Jameson is very protective of Danger," said J Horne, owner of Jameson.
Whalen and Horne, friends for about four years, are now business partnersthanks to their pets.
Jameson Loves Danger is, fittingly, the name of their new pet-supply store in Andersonville. It opened in mid-Septemberwith humans and their beloved pets attending the grand opening.
"Jameson and Danger were such a driving force [in opening the store] that it only seems right that they are incorporated in the name," Whalen said.
The store spans 1,700 square feet, and is filled with food, treats and more. There is a grooming area, and even a self-grooming facility. There are three full-time and two part-time employees.
"Gracie and I have a common bond: we love our animals. We love to incorporate them throughout our days. We also love this community," Horne said. "Sharing our lives and our pets, and having our pets at work, is a really cool thing."
Horne, 34, lives in Andersonville and is originally from Evanston. Horne has two dogs and a cat and identifies as queer. Whalen, 31, also lives in Andersonville and is originally from downstate Illinois. She also has one cat and is an open lesbian. (The two, who are single, are business partners solely.)
Horne has worked in the pet industry since age 21. Whalen most recently worked in investment real estate and, for six years before that, she did social work.
"As a small business, we can really focus on the customers," Whalen said. "We have the time to sit and talk about what they really need, what they want, how they want things to look, etc. And we really enjoy those conversations; that's a big part of us personally and professionally."
Jameson Loves Danger offers all-natural products, plus raw food. "More than anything, we have tried to vary what we have, so we can meet the needs of everyone," Whalen said.
Many products are locally made.
The store also offers toys, supplements and a supply delivery option twice a week.
"This community is very diverse, very animal-friendly. The community reaction has been incredibly supportive so far. We're very happy about that," Horne said.
Jameson Loves Danger is located at 5208 N. Clark St. The phone number is 773-754-8816.