Benson’s Canine Cookies
Suzanne Merritt
2928 S Florida Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 688-9249
F: (863) 687-4238
www.BensonCanineCookies.com
If you want something special for your family’s pet, then stop by Benson’s Canine Cookies, located in the Edgewood Plaza on South Florida Avenue. Owner Suzanne Merritt has stocked her store full of healthy foods and treats, pet owner essentials, and lots of fun items for you and your special member of the family. Many first time customers have commented that they were surprised by the variety of items in the store.
Ms. Merritt developed the company’s signature nutritious cookies in 1996, when her beloved dog, Benson, was diagnosed with pancreatitis and jaundice, at the age of 11. Benson was sent home with little hope of recovery, and it was predicted he had a short time to live. Suzanne researched and created a special diet and regimen of vitamins and supplements for Benson. He recovered and lived another seven years.
Ever since, Suzanne has been on a mission to make her healthy cookies and treats available to other pet owners. The cookies and Benson’s ChicLicks, a high protein treat, are still made in her bakery and hand-packed, using only the freshest quality Grade A ingredients. There are no fillers, no flavoring or artificial coloring, no salt, no sugar, no preservatives, and no by-products used in the baking and dehydrating process.
Suzanne is an adventurous entrepreneur, who originally grew her bakery and distribution of the treats to several hundred grocery stores here in Florida. She admits that she learned too late, that a merchandiser is needed in order to keep up with such a large distribution plan. She down-sized to her current retail location, but still has hundreds of loyal customers. Suzanne has given back to the business community by volunteering to share her experiences and recommendations as a mentor with the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneurial classes.
Many customers first learned of her products through the gift baskets she has generously donated to many local charities for their silent auctions or events. She also works with the SPCA, and recently received recognition from the Lakeland Fire Department. Suzanne worked with a local photographer to create canine calendars and donated the profit from the sale of the calendars to the Lakeland Fire Department, so they could buy special oxygen masks for their trucks. These masks are used for pets of all sizes who are rescued by the local firefighters. Suzanne’s love of animals is evident in everything she does through Benson’s Canine Cookies.
The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Benson’s Canine Cookies as the Small Business of the Month for November.