Dearborn Businesses Get Involved in the Mutt Strut

While the –and the city’s many four-legged friends–might seem to be the biggest winners from this weekend’s , local businesses are reaping the benefits, too.

From sponsorships to booths at , Dearborn businesses and organizations are jumping on the Mutt Strut wagon–both because of their love of animals, and knowing a good marketing deal when they see one.

Several are also going to be featured as Hot Stops on the Mutt Strut route that winds through west downtown Dearborn on Saturday morning, inviting dog owners and their pups to take a stroll through the neighborhood and right by the door fronts of dozens of businesses–many of whom are going “dog-friendly” for the day.

Promoting the Mutt Strut, says Good Times Caffe co-owner and Dearborn resident Belal Mroue, is just good business, especially for a new locale such as his eatery. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s a dog owner, too.

“A lot of my family members were involved in (the Mutt Strut) last year with their pets–including myself,” he said. “We did the walk and everything, so I know it brings a lot of exposure. And anything that has to do with pets, we’re always going to do it anyway.”

Mroue said he and co-owner Nick Sleiman will have balloons out the day of the walk, as well as water bowls in the back and front of the store for thirsty pets.

Sam Berro, who co-owns Cedar Coney Island with his father Ali and also lives in Dearborn, will have water bowls out for dogs as well, and will allow Mutt Strutters to tie up their dogs on the patio his business shares with .

And while the Mutt Strut participants get a good meal at Cedar Coney, the Dearborn Animal Shelter will get a bonus, too: 10 percent of every check during the weekend will go toward the shelter when diners show they were part of the Mutt Strut.

And what helps the shelter this weekend helps business, too.

“There’s really only so much money you can put on ink and paper,” Berro said. “So I figured it was a very inexpensive way to advertise my business while being community-oriented and friendly.”

Like Mroue, Berro is an animal lover, and said he has owned everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even a turtle. So supporting the shelter, he said, made sense.

“I’m trying to be helpful toward them and trying to get my name out at the same time,” he said. “I think they’ll do pretty good out of this, and hopefully I get a good turnout, too.”

Both Good Times and Cedar Coney are newer restaurants; the former opened in April, while the latter opened last July.

Beyond the Mutt Strut, both are involved with other local events. Good Times sponsored Relay for Life and the March of Dimes, and will be involved with the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. Cedar Coney is holding fundraisers with other groups and schools where 10 percent of the proceeds are donated to a particular entity. This Thursday evening, the percentage will benefit Duvall Elementary School.

Both owners say it’s important for new businesses to be involved in community events.

“New businesses should never let their guard down and get comfortable,” Barro said. “You always have to be thinking ahead–what can I do to improve? And just this little gesture … they’ll actually benefit the most out of it all.”

Mroue agreed.

“You can’t open a business, put a big open sign on the door and think you’ll have a crowd,” he said. “You have to get involved in a lot of things, and the Mutt Strut is, I think, a good way to start.”

Dearborn Mutt Strut "Hot Stops"

• Cedar Coney Island, 22443 Michigan Ave.
• Good Times Caffe, 22810 Michigan Ave.
• iBurger Lounge, 22255 Michigan Ave.
• , 904 Mason