Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Parrott.
Hi Maggie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hops & Hounds has been an idea and a dream for quite some time. I (Maggie) talked about wanting to do something like this since college. In 2023, the Houndry opened Backyard dog park and beer garden in Oak Ridge. I brought my dog there frequently and was heartbroken to hear they were closing their doors. What started as a joke to “just buy a dog park” quickly turned into a reality. My husband and I sat down to talk about the opportunity we were presented with and just how crazy we would have to be to start this new adventure. In December of 2023, we sealed the deal and in April of 2024 we officially opened our doors. We have been SO grateful to be supported by the community and foster incredible relationships with dogs and patrons. In the last year, we have added GG’s Food Truck, Oak Ridge Gel Tactical, and Hippie Dippie dog grooming to our property and continue to build an establishment for two and four-legged friends alike. We have two areas of the park for leashed dogs and families and a third area for off-leash dogs. We have yard monitors to help maintain a safe area for dogs to play and all dogs must show proof of vaccination to enter. Our focus is on building a comfortable and welcoming space to meet up with friends, let your dog run, listen to some music or play some trivia, and enjoy a cold beverage.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
While we have had a TREMENDOUS amount of support, starting a new business has been a challenging experience. We have faced many of the challenges any new business faces – marketing, social media, staffing, establishing ourselves as an Oak Ridge staple for community gathering. As an outdoor based facility, we have also faced challenges related to business lulls during weather. Rain, heat, and wind have all provided challenges to maintaining steady business. Despite the challenges, we are fortunate to have a loyal customer base who have been incredibly supportive – regardless of weather.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hops & Hounds?
Hops & Hounds is a beer garden that also features an off-leash dog park. We have three areas of the park – a .5 acre enclosed leashed and family friendly area, a patio, and a 1.25 acre off-leash dog park. The park features Tri-Hop brewery beers as well as a multitude of ciders, seltzers, THC beverages, and non-alcoholic options. We also have a food truck, dog groomer, and gel shooting range on site. The off-leash dog park requires that all humans be 16 and up and dogs must show proof of vaccination. There are no age restrictions on any other area of the park. We frequently feature events such as trivia nights, live music, among other fun activities.
Hops & Hounds has built a foundation on community. We have hosted paint classes, Neighborhood Barre, city planning meetings, charity events, dog adoption events, and many other local businesses and individuals. We strive to be more than just a beer garden, but a staple of the community and welcoming space for people to meet, socialize, and pet some dogs. While we are of course, built around being dog friendly, there is a lot here for individuals without a dog to enjoy. My husband (Bela) and I have prided ourselves on giving back as much as we can to the community and using our resources and space to make Oak Ridge a better place for the community.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I wish I could name them all. My husband and I could not have done this alone. The credit goes to our families and friends who have understood why we haven’t been as present. They have helped us take care of our dogs when we’re working late, came to see us when we couldn’t step away, and understood when we couldn’t make events. Bela’s sister and mother have helped immensely with running the business. In fact, you will often catch Bela’s mom running the food truck! I can’t say thank you enough to them.
We also wouldn’t be anywhere without our patrons. We have had people show up to help us with a park maintenance day, update our website, do dishes, and anything else we have needed. They have become like another family to us. They have also fully embraced the culture we are trying to build. Every new customer is greeted by Bela, myself, or one of our regulars. The atmosphere is welcoming and inviting and that credit goes to our regulars for making the vibe what it is.
Overall, we have been SO supported through this journey and we are incredibly blessed to have these people in our lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hopsandhoundstn.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopsandhoundstn
