Tucked in the shopping center at the corner of Tudor Road and the Old Seward Highway is Paw Prince, a luxury boutiques that carries merchandise geared toward pets.

Rhinestone-encrusted collars, flannel pajamas and wool sweaters flank the walls. An entire section of the store is dedicated to scented candles, soaps and shampoos. Organic treats and super-premium pet foods are stacked neatly on shelves.

According to owner Melissa Robokoff, breed-specific merchandise is always a bestseller. Dachshunds, pugs, beagles and Yorkshire terriers appear on napkins, note cards and magnets.

“A lot of people like to pamper their pets,” Robokoff said. “Their dog is like their kid. I can totally relate to that.”

The idea for Paw Prince came about as Melissa and her husband, Mark Robokoff, traveled through the Lower 48.

“I was so envious of all the great pet products you could buy,” she said.

Robokoff started out small, making homemade dog biscuits and selling them at craft fairs in Anchorage. She did well, selling enough biscuits to at least break even. Last summer she decided to purchase booth space at the Anchorage Downtown Market and Festival. It was there, she said, that business really took off.

Robokoff said she did so well in part because tourists were used to purchasing healthy, freshly baked pet treats, but locals flocked to her booth as well.

Judging by the success of her booth at the Downtown Market, it was clear that Anchorage was ready for a full-scale pet boutique. Dipping into their own savings, the Robokoffs purchased the retail space that would become Paw Prince.

Pet apparel lines the walls at Paw Prince. Along with T-shirts, sweaters and pajamas, the boutique offers high-end grooming products, premium pet foods and gourmet treats. PHOTO/Carly Horton/AJOC

Robokoff said animal apparel is the No. 1 reason customers visit the store. In addition to T-shirts that will fit dogs up to 200 pounds, Paw Prince sells fur stoles, sweaters, sleepwear and robes.

The store also carries an array of edible goodies for pets.

“I tend toward all-natural products,” she said. “With the recent pet food recall, I'm really conscious of where things come from and most of my customers are too.”

Eventually, the Robokoffs would like to have stores in south Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. Robokoff said she's received requests for pet grooming services as well, “but we're just taking a deep breath right now,” she said. “We're still finding out what people want, where they live. But my husband and I are animal fanatics. For us, this is just so fun.”

On the Web: www.pawprince.net