Paco Collars, the Shattuck Avenue shop whose marquee once read, “Yes, a store just for dog collars,” has said farewell to Berkeley and relocated across the country to Tennessee, where its founder, Ana Poe, recently moved. The new location will put the company closer to the lucrative East Coast dog competitions and trade shows. The Berkeley store closed on May 15.
Two of Paco’s Bay Area employees will continue working for the company remotely. And locals can still buy collars on the Paco’s website, though custom orders are on hold until July due to the move.
Paco Collars was founded in 2002 and had been based in Berkeley since 2009. The company is known for its custom handmade leather collars, often studded with multicolored gems and metal charms.
But the collars, which cost hundreds of dollars each, “have to work first and look good second,” said Poe. Each collar has a lifetime guarantee and, according to Poe, they “get better with age.”…