An afternoon enjoying a blueberry facial, oatmeal body scrub, and essential oil massage has become de rigeur for Luna. The grooming services at the new concept store are enjoyed on a monthly basis by the Pomeranian, alongside her friends Arnoob the rabbit and Rudy the goat. Luna & Beau, the latest Kuwaiti hotspot to open, is in fact, for pets. “I’ve always been an animal lover,” starts founder Salman Dashti. “Having a dog was one of my goals from a really young age.” Dashti now owns three dogs and three cats, along with a chinchilla named Margaret. “When I did get a dog, I realized the lack of dog friendly places and limited selection of products available to pets and their owners. Luna & Beau was born out of a need to create a space made by pet people for pets and their people.”
Today, it is the only place in the region offering full pet grooming and spa service with a multi-brand seasonal boutique, café, pet bakery, daycare, boarding, and pet training facility all in one location. The pastel-hued interior with contemporary art touches has attracted fashion collaborations including Du Mishmash—anticipate embellished denim jackets for pets and their owners. Also, local lifestyle brand Ecru, known for its hand-printed fabrics, will soon collaborate for a collection of pet teepee tents and bandanas.
At the boutique, find an exclusive, hand-picked selection of premium pet brands that range from bedding and accessories to treats and grooming supplies. Spoil pets with handmade leather collars and leashes from French leather goods brand Baba Paris and treat them to the ultimate pet bed experience from Howl Pot. Dress up pets with apparel from Max Bone New York and shop grooming products that include all-natural and chemical-free brands like Essential Dog from Australia. Afterward, pets can benefit from the enclosed, off-leash area surrounded by tropical greenery, or, dogs who need a break from socializing can relax in a personal pen.
“I’ve had a customer say to me, ‘I love it here because it’s one of the only places in Kuwait where I can approach and be approached by people without it being awkward,” says Salman. “I loved hearing that because living in London, it was easy to meet people and strike up a conversation. I found that to be harder when I moved back to Kuwait. I want to create a place where people can have a common interest that helps break social barriers,” he comments, adding that they aim to make their concept global. “I feel like Luna & Beau is the start of something big. We’ve created a community of pet lovers and couldn’t be happier.”