NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - McKenna Burzimati first started baking homemade dog treats shortly after she adopted her dog Roxie a couple of years ago.

“I really couldn’t find her any treats that I wanted to give her because there were so many ingredients that I just didn’t know what they were,” said Burzimati. “So the idea kind of just came to me driving one time. I was like ‘Why don’t I just start making her own treats?’” 

What You Need To Know

  • McKenna Burzimati opened Roxie’s Barkery in North Adams’ Norad Mill last month
  • She started baking homemade dog treats for her own dog Roxie a couple of years ago
  • The Barkery is a family operation, with Burzimati getting help from her mom, stepdad, and McKenna's dog, Roxie
  • Burzimati wants to keep expanding and open new Barkery locations in the future

The baking soon became a business, called Roxie’s Barkery, with a goal of serving treats all dogs can enjoy.

It started out with Burzimati baking in her apartment and taking online orders, but she quickly outgrew her home kitchen, and last month opened a storefront at the Norad Mill in North Adams.

“Previously, I was doing it through online and sometimes it was just like a quick little pick up,” said Burzimati. “But now I get to really get to know the customer and the ‘pupstomer’, as I like to call it.”

Running the Barkery is a full family effort. Roxie, of course, is the chief taste tester, and Burzimati’s stepdad, John Kozik, has taken on the role of head baker.

“For me, I come in and will discuss with McKenna what we need for products for the week,” said Kozik. “Going out the wholesale areas, stocking the store, and what might be coming up for the weekend as an event, whether it’s a farmer’s market, a holiday bazar, whatever it might be.”

McKenna’s mom, Ann Kozik, helps around the store too, using her decades of experience as a professional baker to give advice

“Everybody’s got ideas and some ideas are good ones and some you’re like ‘eh I don’t know if that’ll work,’ so it’s been trial and error,” Kozik said. “It’s just been a great experience to be with her and see her so successful.”

Burzimati said opening the store was her original dream, but now that she’s here, she’s decided she’s not done yet.

“I would love to expand and have more than one ‘Barkery’ location,” said Burzimati. “That’s kind of my thought now. Every time I go on vacation I’m like, ‘Oh, a ‘Barkery’ would be perfect here.’ So that would be the hope.”