Designer Dog Store at Woodland Mall Sparks Outrage

A new designer puppy store at Woodland Mall has created outrage on social media, and some opponents are planning to protest.

The Barking Boutique was originally supposed to be at The Lakes Mall in Norton Shores, that plan was squashed, and they instead opened at the Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

The store sells purebred and designer dogs for as much as $4,000.

The owner of the store told FOX-17 that they are simply misunderstood, saying,

We really recommend going to a shelter or humane society, because those dogs need homes. And if they can’t find what they’re looking for there, then we’re here for that puppy.

An online petition was set up by opponents on The Petition Site, and has so far gained nearly 1,300 signatures from those who say that people looking for dogs should adopt them instead of buying them from a pet store.

Locals have also been flooding the Woodland Mall's Facebook page with complaints.