When the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm, approximately 23 million American households adopted a pet as they waited for the quarantine restrictions to be lifted. Tucker Parsons, a four-year-old beagle mix, was luckily one of the many millions of pets that found a forever home during the pandemic. Four years later, he’s credited as the inspiration for Winston-Salem’s first and only dog bar, which is owned and operated by his owners Cole and Kim Parsons.
The idea for Tucker’s Tap Yard came to the Parsons after they visited a dog bar during their travels. They quickly recognized the brilliance and market for a business where owners and dogs can spend time.
“At a dog park, your dog may be having fun, but you may not be, and if you go to a bar, then you might be having fun, but your dog is not,” Cole Parsons said. “So, the idea behind a dog bar is that they’ll have a good time, and you’ll have a good time.”
The tap yard, which is located in East Winston, was formerly Smith Auto Paint and Body Shop for 30 years. One day, Kim Parsons tapped on the window and convinced Arbie Smith, the previous owner, to sell the plot after his wife forced him to post a small for sale sign in hopes that he’d finally retire in his ‘80s to spend more time with her in their elderly age.
“We stumbled across [the property] on a Sunday, and I said we should just call the number tomorrow, and we’ll figure it out. But, my wife’s like, ‘No, I’m gonna go in there.’ And that’s how she is,” Cole Parsons laughs. “So she just comes walking in, and she says, ‘excuse me, sir, is this place for sale?’ and [Smith] says, ‘well, there’s a damn sign out front there.’”
They purchased the space and saw their vision slowly come to life. The Parsons, with the help of their children Ashley and Ryan, renovated the space and added fencing, artificial turf, a bar and TVs and officially opened for business in August 2022.
To celebrate their grand opening, they hosted a VIP party with the 36 founding members and their pets. Now, there are hundreds of members and upwards of 60 dogs at the tap yard, depending on the weather. The only requirements are that the dogs must be friendly, vaccinated and fixed if they’re older than a year, but all breeds are welcome. There are monthly and annual membership packages as well as day passes offered. Non-dog owners may also visit the tap yard if they want to hang out or have a beer from a local brewery.
“Being a family-owned small business is certainly in our minds a very positive thing,” Cole Parsons says. “Everyone who comes here has an instant bond because of their love for dogs.”
Tucker’s Tap Yard has amassed a loyal stream of regulars who frequent multiple times a week and have formed long-term friendships with other members. Whether it’s for a themed night, trivia, or bingo — owners and their pups keep returning to the tap yard.
“Tucker’s is like a home. My dogs and I both have friends here who are part of a larger support system,” patron Olivia Toler says. “[The Parsons] really care about the animals, and to do a lot of give-back with the shelters and humane society.”
Anna Thrower has been a regular at Tucker’s Tap Yard since its opening. She and her dog, Hamilton, have found it to be a fun, social and safe place compared to public dog parks where dogs could be unvaccinated, and owners can be approached by strangers without others watching.
“It’s just a safe place for my dog and a safe place for me to come when I’m by myself as a single woman,” Thrower said. “I feel like [Tucker’s] is doing a lot for the community, especially for this side of town. I think the development for this side of town is really lovely.”
Their business model and unique concept are what originally drew dog owners to Tucker’s Tap Yard. However, the friendliness of the community that’s been formed through the tap yard is what truly makes the place somewhere you and your dog will want to sit and stay for a while.
