The French bulldog has wagged its way into the hearts of dog enthusiasts—and thieves.
The latest dog breed to become the belle of the ball? The French bulldog. Demand for these pricey canine companions (think ~$3K a pup) has soared—but so has the risk associated with their rising fame.
The bullish crime traces back locally as far as last summer when a French bulldog was stolen from a Knightdale home and listed on Facebook Marketplace for $4.5K—continuing to build steam across the country today. Most recently, a woman literally clung to the hood of a car in Cali after her pooch was taken from her at a Whole Foods in LA (really).
These events beg the question: Is owning one of these beloved dogs a safety hazard? “More people getting their dogs stolen or people breaking into their house stealing their dogs—I definitely think that has increased,” says Julie Hamm, co-owner of Raleigh-based French bulldog breeders J&J Frenchies LLC.
This unfortunate side effect of the breed’s popularity has forced breeders like the Hamms to take extra precautions—like conducting transactions in police station parking lots and employing stringent safety measures at home.
But why French bulldogs? For one, they were recently dubbed the most popular dog breed in America by the American Kennel Club, beating out the Labrador retriever’s 31-year reign. So, naturally, the pooch’s price tag has gone through the roof.
“It honestly depends on who you’re talking to, but it can start around $3,000 for a pet,” maintains Hamm. “The costs of Frenchies can vary greatly depending on factors such as coat colors, furnishings, traits they carry, and whether the person is looking to become a pet owner or a breeder.”
Many people go through breeders to get one just because they’re looking for that specific Frenchie look, Hamm explains, while those in shelters may not always meet the pedigree mark or come from less-than-ideal conditions.
In the digital age, platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have become kennels of their own, showcasing available French bulldogs to a wide audience. But those buying and selling Frenchies on social media should be extra careful conducting transactions.
Nevertheless, the spotlight on French bulldogs is not without its shadows. Here, Hamm offers some tips on how to keep you and your pup safe, as well as protect yourself from scammers when you’re looking for a new furry BFF.
Keeping Your Pooch Safe
At home, install a security system of your choice with a camera.
When walking your dog:
Put your hand through the loop of the leash, wrap it once around your wrist and firmly hold the leash.
Consider carrying mace.
Consider pinch collars because they are a lot more difficult to remove.
Purchasing a Frenchie Pup
Beware of $1,500–$2,000 price tags. It’s not always a scam, but you’re less likely to run into a scammer around the $4,000 range.
Communicate with your breeder via Facetime, call and/or text.
Downtown Raleigh is really proving her resilience. Despite the recent rise in crime, business owners are buying in and continuing to establish roots—and doubling down on Downtown. It’s a welcome harbinger of hope, given that metropolitan downtowns (think San Francisco) typically experience a mass exodus in the face of “unsafe conditions.”
Instead, local entrepreneurs remain invested in Downtown—literally. One such business owner is Caitlin Cary, who is reopening her The Pocket Gallery in City Market in January. “I think the crime reflects some hard times we all can’t deny,” says the owner/founder. “I feel a lot of sympathy, and I also feel I’m a part of a business that is all about building community—I hope that good energy can help overcome.”
Pocket Art Gallery photo by Caitlin Cary
Building on that good energy, Cary—a working artist who specializes in fabric collage and recognizes the economic challenges of the city—plans to move her gallery from its former Oakwood digs into the City Market Artist Collective (CMAC), where she’ll join a community of 12 artists. There, she’ll continue to display her work along with the work of 30 artists on her roster.
And, not leaving the Oakwood space vacant, Cheryl Fraser, owner and founder of Galatea Boutique—which some may remember from Seaboard—jumped on the opportunity and will move into the vacant space in the new year after spending the last year-and-a-half operating out of a mobile boutique.
While the new business blood bodes well for DTR, having retailers committed to staying Downtown is also critical. Popular DTR home for houseplants Copperline Plant Co. owner Anna Grace FitzGerald is one such local who dug into City Market in 2022—and remains committed to the space she’s cultivated.
“When I was looking for a place to lay roots, I knew I wanted to be Downtown,” she says, “and in a place with character and history—because it aligns with the feeling we try to evoke in the shop: a feeling of a stable homebase for folks.”
Over the summer, a window was broken in at her business, but despite the incident, she remains unfazed. Nothing was stolen and no one was hurt, FitzGerald emphasized, and this is what mattered the most. “This is a product of more and more people moving to the Triangle… growing pains,” she adds.
FitzGerald welcomes the ebb and flow of new businesses moving into City Market and the Downtown area, viewing it as a healthy progression of the city. Despite recent challenges, the attractive and charming street—and our city core as a whole—continues to thrive with more businesses, opportunities and activities that not only attract Raleigh residents, but tourists as well. So, seeds of change now cultivating, if you will.
How one couple’s innovative side hustle became all the buzz for kids, parents and brew lovers alike.
What do you get when you combine a power couple with invaluable skills and a passion for entrepreneurship + a novel idea combining an indoor play space for children and cafe for their parents? Meet Libby and Mark Azzarello’s Bumble Brews. A side gig-turned-unexpected success story, Bumble Brews—which serves to entertain both kiddos ages 6 months to 6 years and adults with buzzy brews (think coffee + beer and wine)—now boasts two locations in Cary and Raleigh, the latter of which opened Dec. 1.
Libby, a residential real estate agent, and Mark, a former corporate professional, embarked on this entrepreneurial journey in December 2022. “My husband always wanted to pursue entrepreneurship,” shares Libby, reflecting on the early days of their venture.
Assisted by a franchise coach who helped them fine-tune their aspirations, the couple was originally working on different ideas—until they met Bumble Brews original owners Blair and Brendan Byrnside.
“We used to take our daughter to the Cary location and loved the combination Blair dreamed up of a safe and fun place to play, but also incorporating our love for coffee and local beer,” reflects Libby. “It appealed to me for the creativity and children part, and Mark for the beer and coffee.”
Libby, self-dubbed as the “food, beverage and entertainment” connoisseur of their marriage, and Mark, the “operations and logistics”-focused half of the partnership, found their perfect match in Bumble Brews. In September, Mark took a bold step by leaving his full-time job to dedicate more time to the business. Libby continues to practice residential real estate, cleverly integrating her work into the play cafe.
“I’m excited to tie real estate into Bumble Brews, and I’ve shifted a lot of marketing to help moms and families connect with each other,” she says. “Some of our guests have asked me to be their real estate agent, so it’s been nice to see an organic growth to my full-time business.”
In addition to serving great brews and providing a fun space for kids, Bumble Brews has become a hub for community gatherings and casual coffee meetups. The full cafe is buzzing with a range of local beer, wine, cider and Champagne selects. And it’s not just for parents.
“One of our most asked questions is ‘Can I visit and purchase coffee if I don’t have a kid?’, and I always tell people, ‘Yes!’” maintains Libby. “You don’t have to be a parent to enjoy our coffee shop. The Raleigh location is positioned underneath an apartment building, so sometimes people just want to grab a coffee.”
With their joint vision, Libby and Mark Azzarello aimed to create a space that was not only female-friendly, but also a comfortable hangout for dads. “The whole industry is more female-leading because you’re working with moms, but we wanted to create a space where dads felt comfortable,” Libby explains.
Additionally, Bumble Brews’ party room offers a blank canvas for guests to curate their own theme with decorations to bring the space to life. If planning an event, guests can book the open-play area, the party room or the entire space.
Another unique feature of the Raleigh location is the consignment bookshelf where local authors can display their books. “We want to support as many local authors as we can,” says Libby.
While managing a business on top of a full-time job can be challenging, Libby attributes much of the success to their supportive network and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage others’ strengths to avoid burnout.“I am surrounded by experts and people who want to help. It’s hard as a business owner, when you’re used to being independent, to lean on other people,” she shares. “But my friends told me, when I ask for specific help, I’m giving them a gift.”
Reflecting on their journey, Libby shares a candid insight: “We’re building the plane as we fly it—we’re learning as we go.” As they continue to navigate the intricacies of entrepreneurship, the Azzarellos are not just brewing up a successful business, but a community where families can connect, relax and have fun.
Make your next shopping spree a purposeful one via these local stores giving back.
There’s an exciting shift happening in Raleigh retail—just in time for gift-giving season. In the move toward conscientious consumerism, local shops are becoming catalysts for social change by supporting various causes close to home and beyond. Whether it’s aiding women in crisis, fostering homes for displaced animals or championing eco-friendly fashion, these retailers are reshaping the shopping experience into an act of purposeful contribution—aka “cardio” with a benevolent bonus! So, the next time your partner scolds you for buying that leather bag you “don’t need,” tell ’em it’s for a good cause (and also, like, super-cute).
The Flourish Market
Started as a do-good fashion truck, this market has since, well, flourished into a full-blown brick-and-mortar that partners with 200+ socially progressive brands across the globe driving positive change—whether its supporting causes like stopping sex trafficking or helping refugee families rebuild lives. Shop fashionable fits, accessories, home goods and more—or go big with a (free!) party, during which 10% of sales are donated to your fave charity. Now that’s partying with a purpose. theflourishmarket.com
Designed For Joy
This big-hearted boutique offers more than just a treasure trove of stylish his-and-hers bags, jewelry and home decor. All items in the store are created by intentionally hired women in crisis (think: substance abuse, criminal convictions, homelessness and beyond), providing a lifeline of immediate employment, livable wage and support. Translation: That charcuterie board you’re eyeing is giving joy indeed. designedforjoy.com
Fifi + Talbot
Environmentally and sustainability-conscious girlies, this one’s for you. The DTR local fave epitomizes “green” fashion via animal product-free, ethically sourced, fair-trade women’s jewelry, clothing and accessories. Hey, compassion is always in style. fifiandtalbotboutique.com
Cause for Paws Thrift Stores
If your best friends have four legs, take your next tag-poppin’ sesh to these animal lover-approved consignment shops, where a portion of your dollars go toward rescuing and nurturing displaced animals. A cause for a-paws, if you will. Two Raleigh locations, cfp-nc.org
Pass It on Thrift Store
Pass on the generosity via Pass It On’s upscale thrift store, where merch sales from your fab fashion and jewelry finds bolster InterAct’s MO to help domestic violence and sexual assault victims survive and thrive. Don’t wanna shop? Transform lives by donating (bonus—survivors shop at no cost). Fashion for a cause? Yes, please. Raleigh; Fuquay-Varina, interactofwake.org
Lace up your shopping shoes and raise your glasses to these sip + shop experiences in Raleigh.
’Tis the season for holiday shopping—and taking the festivities up a notch is the sip and shop trend. Like happy hour and retail therapy rolled into one, this fad entails strolling through your fave shops to check everyone off your holiday gift list, all while savoring delicious drinks. Now that sounds like the kind of holiday shopping we can get behind (!). Here, five Raleigh hot spots that will make your spirits—and your shopping bags—bright this holiday season.
Retail has a new buzzword: refinement. Kick back on a plush couch with a sophisticated cocktail in hand and drink in the ambience of this Dock 1053 midcentury-modern furniture store. The bar up front—pouring both wine and cocktails—guarantees your high-end shopping experience will be anything but dry. trigmodern.com
Saddle up for a wild retail ride! It’s unlikely you’ll have a bad shopping experience with a brew or a glass of vino from the saloon-style bar at this trendy shop serving urban menswear, outdoor gear, cool accessories and more—all perfect for the men in your life. edgeofurge.com
If music is what makes you merry, splurge on classic vinyls—for both yourself and your music-loving friends/fam!—while savoring unique local brews, with a heavy focus on IPAs, at this *dank* record shop in Seaboard Station. Records spinning, beers flowing and good vibes throughout… name a better trio—we’ll wait. hunkydorydurham.com
A sparkling experience that’s worth its weight in gold (and diamonds!), Bailey’s watch shop offers top-shelf bourbons to enjoy while exploring luxury timepieces. Find the perfect piece of jewelry for that special someone—and while you’re at it, treat yo’self to that bling you’ve been eyeing all year.baileybox.com
Plant-powered shopping never tasted so good. Peruse myriad flora and fauna—or BYO bouquet!—in a lush setting while enjoying rotating local brews, wine and flavored mimosas (Dragonfruit! Mango! Lychee!) at the signature Garden Bar, which also hosts workshops and events like yoga. atlanticgardening.com
