A handmade dog treat bakery has opened in Old Ashburn — but it has a far greater mission than just selling some canine tidbits and snacks. The new endeavor is called The ECHO Barkery and it opened on Ashburn Road in mid-June.
The Barkery is coming from the folks at ECHO. ECHO is a Leesburg-based non-profit that helps individuals with disabilities with things skill building, job placement and much more. They’ve been doing their good work since 1974 and The ECHO Barkery is just their latest undertaking.
The treats at the store are handmade by individuals served by ECHO, giving them job opportunities and teaching them new skills. The line-up of dog biscuits uses all natural ingredients and comes in three flavors — chicken, beef and peanut butter.
“Each biscuit is individually handcrafted and designed with your dog in mind,” reads the new ECHO Barkery website. “It all begins with mixing the ingredients, rolling out the dough, cutting out the shapes, baking the biscuits, and finally, packing them with love and care.”
The bakery doesn’t currently have a storefront component. The treats can be ordered via the ECHO Barkery website. They also expect them to eventually be available in local Whole Foods stores and possibly other retail locations. An official grand opening for the bakery is scheduled for September.