Every Dog Has its Market Day Thanks to Chase Your Tail Bakery

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Until you look closely, you might think you’ve stumbled upon a gourmet cookie business. Out of the corner of your eye, the array of baked treats, attractively presented on round platters, beckons.

But then, there are some telltale signs. You’ll notice the paw prints and the word “tail” on the white banner behind the table. As you look even more closely, you’ll note the bone shape of some of those honey-colored treats. And then it will dawn on you. “Oh, it’s a pet bakery!” you’ll say, somewhat embarrassed.

As Maria Rambo humorously explains, this realization hasn’t stopped some farmers market customers from asking if the bakery’s treats are still suitable for human consumption. Her diplomatic answer? While the ingredients are human grade, they can’t be legally sold for owner consumption.

Deb Matthews is the “Proprietress and Top Dog” of Chase Your Tail Bakery, which is in its sixth year. While the bakery primarily caters to canines, it also offers some feline options. Rambo lends an extra hand at the Vienna Farmers market, while Deb sells at Falls Church, and Chey Larson at Leesburg—all Saturday markets.

Turns out NoVa farmers markets are even for the four-legged! Indeed, it is a lucky dog whose owner shops for his or her treats at Chase Your Tail. The bakery produces  everything from Cheesy Cheddar Bites and Peanut Butter Bones to Honey Buns and Veggie Toads (made with peas and carrots).

One thing that is striking about the Chase Your Tail table is the compassion that marks these transactions. These are more like patient-doctor consultations, as conscientious pet owners profile their four-legged friends for Maria, so that she can recommend the most suitable treat.

In the short time I spent with Maria, she expertly (and sympathetically) fielded questions about  Gracie, an Australian Shepherd with a sensitive stomach; a feline suffering  with cancer; and a 9-month-old Shih Tzu puppy. (Recommendation for the latter: tender Carrot Cheese Muffins, Puppy Pretzels that shatter easily into smaller pieces, and the ever-popular Cheesy Cheddar Bites). And then there was the market regular she consoled upon hearing that the woman’s pet rat—her only rodent customer—had recently suffered a fatal stroke! I confess to finding it fascinating, and I don’t even have a pet!

 

 

In addition to Maria’s treasure trove of knowledge, Chase Your Tail keeps nutritional information on hand for inquisitive pet owners. All the baked treats are analyzed in a lab, so that fat, protein, calories and the like are tabulated just like on grocery food labels.

Can’t make it on Saturdays to the Falls Church, Vienna, or Leesburg markets, but want to procure some of these gourmet treats for your prized pet? Visit the storefront or call, fax, or email your order.

Chase Your Tail Bakery
305-A East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 771-3019
(888) 541-5400

-Johnisha M. Levi

August 7-13 is Virginia Farmer’s Market Week!

Northern Virginia’s Farmers Markets and Hours

Annandale Farmers Market • 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale – Thu, 8-noon
Arlington Farmers Market • N. 14th St. & N. Courthouse Road, Arlington – Sat, 8-noon
Ashburn Farmers Market • 44036 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn – Sat, 8-noon
Ballston Farmers Market • N. Stuart St. & N. Ninth St. – Thu, 3-7 p.m.
Brambleton Farmers Market • 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Burke Farmers Market • 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke – Sat, 8-noon
Cascades Farmers Market • 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Clarendon Farmers Market• 3100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Columbia Pike Farmers Market • S. Walter Reed Drive & Columbia Pike – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Community Farmers Market • West & Main Streets (Sat), North St. & Old Lee Highway (Sun), Fairfax – Sat: 8-1 p.m.; Sun: 10-2 p.m.
Crystal City Farmers Market • Crystal Square Arcade between S. 18th and 20th Streets – Tue, 3-7 p.m.
Culpeper Farmers Market • E. Davis & Commerce Streets – Sat, 7:30-noon
Dale City Farmers Market • Dale Blvd. & Minnieville Road, Dale City – Sun, 8-1 p.m.
Del Ray Farmers’ Market • E. Oxford & Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria – Sat, 8-noon
Fairfax Farmers Market • 3720 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax – Tue, 8-noon
Falls Church Farmers Market • 300 Park Ave., Falls Church – Sat, 8-noon
Fredericksburg Farmers Market• George and Prince Edward Streets, Fredericksburg – Mon-Sat, 7-6 p.m.; Sun, 12:30-4 p.m.
Frying Pan Farmers Market • 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon – Wed, 8-12:30 p.m.
Great Falls Farmers Market • 750 Walker Road, Great Falls – Sat, 9-1 p.m.
Haymarket Farmers Market • 1500 Washington St., Haymarket – Sat, 8-2 p.m.
Herndon Farmers Market • Lynn and Station Streets, Herndon – Thu, 8-noon
Kingstowne Farmers Market • Kingstowne Center & Kingstowne Blvd., Franconia – Fri, 4-7 p.m.
Leesburg Farmers Market • 20 Catoctin Circle S.E., Leesburg – Sat, 8-noon
Lorton Farmers Market • 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
McLean Farmers Market • 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean – Fri, 8-noon
Middleburg Farmers Market • 300 W. Washington St., Middleburg – Sat, 8-noon
Mount Vernon Farmers Market • 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria – Tue, 8-noon
Nokesville Farmers Market • 13005 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville – Sat, 8-noon
Oakton Farmers Market • 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton – Wed, 8-noon
Old Town Alexandria Farmers Market • 301 King St., Alexandria – Sat, 5:30-11 a.m.
Old Town Manassas Farmers Market • 9201 Center St., Manassas – Thu, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7:30-2:30 p.m.
Nokesville Farmers Market • 13005 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville – Sat, 8-noon
Purcellville Farmers Market• 751 E. Main St., Purcellville – Sat, 8-noon
Reston Farmers Market • 11400 Washington Plaza W., Reston – Sat, 8-noon
Smart Markets – Centreville • 5875 Trinity Parkway, Centreville – Fri, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Fairfax Corner • Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax – Tue, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Gainesville • 13297 Gateway Center Drive, Gainesville – Sun, 10:30-1:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Herndon • 460 Elden St., Herndon – Thu, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Oakton • 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton – Sat, 10-2 p.m.
Smart Markets – Reston • 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston – Wed, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Upper King Street Farmers Market • 1806 King St., Alexandria – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Vienna Farmers Market • 131 Church St. N.E., Vienna – Sat, 8-noon
Wakefield Farmers Market • 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale – Wed, 2-6 p.m.
Warrenton Farmers Market • Branch Drive and Warrenton Village Center (Wed), S. Fifth & Lee Streets (Sat) – Wed, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7-noon
West End Farmers Market • 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria – Sun, 9-1 p.m.

Or click here for our full list of local farmers markets

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