HAMILTON
Rachel Steinman and Chris Miller said they opened a business in Hamilton after they realized the city’s people are the city itself.
Pet Wants Hamilton, an all-natural pet food business, became a reality this summer at 139 Main St., the former Homestead building, with the help of CORE Fund and the Community Design Alliance.
“We were inspired by our faith to be a part of something greater, to consider our gifts and blessings and how these things can be used to live a life of impact,” Steinman said.
A Sept. 8 “bone-breaking” ceremony, complete with 9-foot “dog bone,” officially launched the business.
Chris Miller and Rachel Steinman, owners of Pet Wants Hamilton, in their 139 Main St. store, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. GREG LYNCH / STAFF Staff Writer
“Food is medicine, and like us, what our pets eat impacts their lives,” Miller said. “When store shelves are filled with bags that all basically look the same, it can be confusing trying to decide what food is best. We intend to deliver on more than just a promise of fresh, high-quality food. We will build a community based on education and awareness around the ingredients our pets eat.”
In 2016, the couple drove through Hamilton, toured it with city and Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce officials, then spoke with business owners, including those of True West Coffee and Sara’s House, to get their feedback.
Pets Wants Hamilton is a new, all-natural pet food store at 139 Main St., Hamilton, that offers food with fresh, nutritious ingredients. GREG LYNCH/STAFF Staff Writer
“What we learned and experienced first hand is that the people of Hamilton truly are the city of Hamilton,” Steinman said. “There’s tremendous warmth here.”
Changing the building to a mixed-use property meant closing off the first floor from the residential second floor. That meant moving the stairs, taking down walls and installing others. The Community Design Alliance constructed a separate entry for the residential units upstairs that completely bypasses the commercial-use first floor.
In addition to making its items fresh monthly, Pet Wants Hamilton sources high-quality salmon, chicken, lamb, brown rice and other ingredients.
Pets Wants Hamilton is a new, all-natural pet food store at 139 Main St., Hamilton, that offers food with fresh, nutritious ingredients. GREG LYNCH/STAFF Staff Writer
“There’s no sugar added, no fillers and no animal by-products, and since we never use corn, wheat, soy or dyes, the food is a great fit for pets with allergies,” Steinman said.
The couple said they aim to make it easy for pet owners to understand what is in their pet’s food and to ensure they have access to a better option by offering free delivery to most of Butler County.
“Our proprietary pet food is slow-cooked in small batches with fresh, all-natural ingredients every 30 days,” Steinman said. “Every kibble is guaranteed to be fresh and packed with nutrition. There’s nothing else like it on the market.”
For more information, including promotions aimed at helping hurricane-ravaged animal shelters and families in Texas and Florida, call 513-502-0407.
