Fantastic Four’s café for canine companions

Saurabh Tankha

When I first heard about this dog café – Bark Street dog café – owned by four friends in Sector 104 of Noida, the famous Amitabh Bachchan song from Sharaabi – Jahan chaar yaar mil jayein (when four friends meet) crossed my mind. Much like it made life gulzaar (pleasant and happy) for Big B’s friends in the reel world, this union in the real world seems to have not only made the lives of these four youngsters – Somya Singhal, Nikhil Pratap Singh, Aman Bhardwaj, and Rahul Narang – gulzaar but also that of the pet dogs visiting the café.

These four ‘fantastic’ friends launched their pet-friendly café in Noida on August 14, 2020, about five months after the initial planned launch date. “The delay was inadvertent, due to Covid-19 scare and was followed by the lockdown period,” they replied in unison, adding, “The moment the Unlock phase was announced, we decided to open it.”

Launch Amidst Challenges

The response, the Fantastic Four say, has been great since the launch on the eve of India’s Independence Day. “We weren’t expecting it, given the situation we all are living in. Leave alone dog owners, people who don’t even have pet dogs come here to spend time with them, including three friendly café dogs – Bunny, Doobie, and AJ,” shares Somya.

A Pet-Friendly Paradise

The café strictly avoids synthetic ingredients in meals. “Even pizzas and pastas are made from wheat and are gluten-free. We also ask owners beforehand about their dog being allergic to anything,” she adds. Visitors to Bark Street dog café can enjoy a multi-cuisine spread including Italian, American, and Indian delicacies, ensuring a safe and wholesome experience for every pet.

Beyond Food: Co-Working and Celebrations

The owners have recently opened the café as a coworking space with unlimited high-speed internet. Bark Street also hosts birthday parties, anniversaries, kitty parties, office gatherings, and family events – all inclusive of pets. “We plan to increase our services soon, including dog grooming, veterinary care, and doggy training,” says Aman.

The Inspiration Behind the Café

The idea first struck Somya. “I got impressed by a dog café in Bengaluru and decided on owning one,” she says. After graduating from Delhi University (DU), she joined Vistara Airlines as cabin crew. “I worked for almost two years and then at another place for a year. Thereafter, I went through an emotional phase. It was then that I decided on opening the dog café,” she adds.

From Concept to Collaboration

Somya called her close schoolmate, Nikhil Pratap Singh, in March 2019 to discuss the idea. “I liked the concept and told her to start working on it. On reaching back home, I researched the concept and found a lot needed to be done and also got interested,” shares Nikhil. Five days later, he told Somya, “Let us do it together,” joining the project as they explored business opportunities.

Finding the Fantastic Four

During the planning stages, the duo found Aman and Rahul through common friends. “While discussing the idea to know its feasibility, these two showed interest. Soon, we were a crew of four,” says Nikhil. Aman and Rahul’s hospitality experience running the cloud kitchen Daal Ni Chadhni in Noida helped strengthen the team.

Navigating Challenges During COVID-19

Just as the café was ready to launch in March 2020, the pandemic struck. “We had made investments, had working capital, and staff to retain. We needed to plan again,” says Aman. They shifted operations from the cloud kitchen to the same premises as Bark Street to reduce costs and optimize resources.

Expanding the Vision

The team now plans to launch two more brands from the same kitchen – Bark Street Desserts and DNC Rolls & Biryani. Future expansions include dog grooming, veterinary services, and dog training, ensuring Bark Street continues to be a top pet-friendly café in Noida.

Bark Street: A Must-Visit Destination in Noida

During this period, Aman met Rahul, a Maths (H) graduate from DU, who brought business experience to the team. Though locating Bark Street can be a challenge, the hosts are always ready to guide visitors. Bark Street proves that with belief, teamwork, and passion, even a small idea can become a thriving venture – the true story of these Fantastic Four friends and their pet-friendly café.