Lulu & Luigi

I have lived in the area for years and after shopping there several times I am really tired of the snob-​story behind the counter that somehow does not think I am worthy of barely looking up to greet. AND can’t seem to muster any respect for seeing a «familiar» shopper. The dogs behind the counter are more important to them and my coming in with my dog seems like a great nuisance and disruption as they are very busy «not-​really-​caring-​about-​the-​customer» day. Last time I was in she was more concerned with her not very social little dog on the floor by her chair and she made me feel like a total interruption to her «blissful» career as a chair sitter.
Customer service tip for Lulu & Luigi’s — treat your customers like they genuinely matter and maybe they’ll support you. Bye!

This place has so much potential. Very cute little shop with a good selection of fun dog supplies. Unfortunately, my experience with their customer service has been sub par. Why have a specialty shop if you don’t even want to interact with your customers? I stopped in this morning to shop for a new collar for my dog. The associate was sitting behind the cash desk on her computer. Greeted me when I arrived, and I told her I was looking for a new collar for my pup (who was with me). That was the extent of our interaction. She just sat behind the desk on the computer the whole time. I found a few cute options but would never pay $ 35 for a collar with that kind of service. So I walked out the door without making a purchase.
No loss to me– I’ll remain a loyal customer to Bone Adventure not far down the road.

When around anything with four legs, our dog Cranberry starts acting five times her size. She viciously bares her teeth and deeply growls like a lion, and I’m convinced that she’ll one day mess with the wrong dog and get her a** handed to her. You can’t see it right now, but I’m shaking my fist in the air at the original owner for not socializing her
Since we adopted Cranberry in August of 2014, we’ve brought her to various playgroups in Minneapolis. Within the last couple of months, we experienced the absolutely worst (if you look through my reviews, you can find it) and best. I’m happy to report that the best playgroup we’ve ever been to is held at Lulu & Luigi’s.
On Thursdays, we take our pup to the basement of this establishment, where a very kind Dr. Quinn-​esque woman named Wendy works her magic. No, she doesn’t shoot calming rainbows out of her palms. No, she doesn’t use therapeutic lilac sprays. No, unfortunately, savory bacon is not involved. She just knows dogs and uses an empathetic approach to assess dog problems.
The first session was magical. Wendy separated Cranberry out into the nook of basement, using a small fence. Then, every x number of minutes or so, she would slowly expand the fence (to take more of the basement floor) and one-​by-​one bring dogs over to Cranberry’s side. Half an hour later, I saw Cranberry actually play with another dog, which blew my mind! It felt like the time I met Tom Hanks at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, and while stunned, I told him «Cast Away was cool.» (WILSONNNNNNNNNNN!)
Aside from the playgroup, I really dig their upstairs. Like many pet stores, they have tons of toys and treats including a bakery! For Cranberry’s birthday (which happened to fall on our first session), we got her a couple of cookies. She gobbled them up in a hurry, of course.
They also have all the leashes and collars one could ever want. I got Cranberry a Minnesota Vikings themed pair. Yes, I’m already thinking about the NFL Draft.
Looking forward to returning this Thursday.

I’m super surprised by all the not so good reviews for this particular Lulu & Luigi. I stopped by with my two dogs for pawdicures and was completely happy with the visit.
The Good: The staff was super friendly and approached me immediately to see what I needed. The groomer was knowledgeable and helpful. The pawdicure was priced well at $ 12 (which included nail grinding). This is cheaper than what we pay at PetSmart, and there’s also a punch card reward program (free nail trim or credit toward bath brush package after 10 nail trims). I’ll definitely be bringing my fur babies back. Plus they have bakery treats! I now know where to go to get a birthday cake.
The Not So Good: While the store carries some great products, it can be expensive compared to what I’ve seen at other pet supply stores or online. The tight space makes it difficult to shop if you have a dog bigger than a shih-​tzu, while the many options of products can be overwhelming and claustrophobic.

Love love love Laura and Lulu and Luigi. Her groomer, Linette, is wonderful with my shih tzu and there is always something fun for me to buy him along with his favorite food. As for employees who are rude, I haven’t found one.

I was so happy when Lulu and Luigi opened up downtown White Bear, I had recently gotten a yorkie and knew I would need to take him in for regular cuts and since I live in white bear it worked out perfect. The first time I went there I loved how his hair turned out and the lady April at the time was so nice, called and asked me questions to make sure I was okay with what she was going to do and very professional. The second time I came in I was told April had left and I was seeing someone else which was fine with me I knew they did a good job and I’m a hair stylist for a living I know it always grows back if I didn’t love it but once again I did! But unfortunately when we got home my dog was acting funny not like himself but this only went on for a few hours for I just figured he was tired after being there for 2+ hours. So onto the third cut I was also once again scheduled with another new person obviously willing to give her a try, the second I got there I felt a weird vibe I wasn’t greeted when I walked in I actually think I said hi before the front desk girl did. I met the girl doing my dogs hair she’s seemed very nice, I left and came back three hours later to get him. We got in the car and head over to our friends house to play with her dog (play all the time) and he was growling at her and trying to jump at her and bite which he’s never done before, and would hardly acknowledge me at all, wouldn’t go on a walk just seemed very stressed the second I walked out the store and shaking which is not my dog at all! I’m not sure what happened in there but I’m too nervous to go back it’s day three and my dog is still not acting like himself. I hope he wasn’t treated badly but I’m afraid he was. I’m in customer service and over all this last appointment was it for me :(
I’m adding to this review four days later to still find that my dog is on edge and stressed. I’m not sure what happened but I’m super pissed off and pissed I spent a lot and left a nice tip for someone who clearly abused my dog. I’ve also recommended a lot of people here but I will have to let them know don’t go or your dog will leave a different dog! Super pissed!

Disclaimer– review only applies to the store, not grooming–
Great service and attention to my little one. Only reasons for 4 vs 5 is the price point… guess that’s to be expected from a boutique dog shop. They have the most adorable and warm clothes for my little chihuahua. Expert service in knowing which models run small and large to get the perfect fit for my furry baby!

the worst most awful not to AKC standards bad cut would not even call it groomed totally clueless rude staff full of bs have to pay first before seeing what one is getting totally ripped off bad experience never again

I visited the White Bear Lake location for the first time yesterday. I was followed around by a salesperson for about 10 minutes, trying to sell me on a $ 60 blanket until another customer thankfully walked in and took the pressure off me so I could actually browse. I couldn’t believe the prices (in a bad way) on most of the merchandise, and finally settled on a couple small toys and a photo ornament (the kind in which you place your dog’s photo within a small frame). $ 30 later, I left. Today, I noticed that the ornament does not have a glass or even a plastic panel to protect the photo. I called the shop to see if I could exchange this for another WITH the glass/​plastic intact, and the clerk said, «Actually, none of them have glass or plastic. That’s just how they are.» When I asked if I could return it, then, she said that she couldn’t, per company policy, since it’s seasonal merchandise, and «signs are posted all over the store.» When I said I was disappointed in my purchase, she said, «Well, yeah, it’s kind of a cheap ornament…» and I said, «Not really, it was $ 10. That’s not really cheap for an ornament at all.» And she said, «Oh, well, it’s just not well made.» And that’s all she could do. Apparently these folks don’t stand behind their products, but at $ 10 an ornament and $ 90 a sweater, shouldn’t you get some kind of satsifaction with your purchase? As my dog put it, «What a load of crap.» We won’t be back. And by the way, Lulu and Luigi, my dog is adorable, petite and EXACTLY your demographic. And we’re telling everyone at Puppy Playgroup about the boutique that isn’t.

…after recently visiting the store again — this time with my tiny Dachshund puppy in tow — I have decided I will never visit Lulu & Luigi again…
Rude staff. For some reason, they don’t think they should say «hello» or acknowledge when customers come in the door.
It’s odd.
Sure, their dog items are cute, but honestly, they are ridiculously overpriced.
I can’t think of any other store where I have been treated this poorly…
My dogs and I give this place 2 paws down.

Whenever I visit any boutique store in Edina, I always enter with a sense that I am going to be judged for my appearance, and my customer service experience will directly relate to what I am wearing that day. Unfortunately, I feel this store does a good job at feeding into my stereotype. I have found, in my few visits to this store, that the staff are very unapproachable and somewhat snooty.
Each time I have gotten a polite «hello», then a look up and down. The owner stays behind the counter and tries to look busy with new merchandise or the house dog.
The merchandise is very nice, albeit a bit crowded into the tiny store, and it is priced accordingly. I feel that $ 60.00 for a trendy dog collar is a bit too much, and that I could probably find a similar item online for less cost with a short web search.
Additionally, this store appears to cater to smaller dogs. Having three large dogs, I have felt this store is inadequate to my needs. If you own a small pure breed, and pamper it like a child, this store probably suits your needs. Just be willing to put up with impersonal customer service, and a 50% mark-​up.

So I went here to peek around for warm outfits for my little pooch. She freezes into a puppy ice cube during MN winters. As she had gotten a puppy gift from a dear friend from here, I stopped in.
At first, it’s a visual overload — all sorts of cute things for pups and dogs and canine companions. Plaid, leather, spikes, baked goods, painted ceramic — even squirt bottles of perfume.
But beyond the flashy products, there wasn’t much there for good business. The front employee was totally distracted with babying her own dog (which is fine, but you’re running a business lady). The only lady that did talk to me was this other lady who was totally all tweaked out on Xanax or something and claiming that she was a «business partner» and could speak with pets. She looked like she had voices, all right.

I miss my dog. Alot. We sent her to bot camp for one month on Sunday, because we were basically crappy parents who didn’t impose proper social etiquette on her (she jumps and has a squirrel issue) and now she’s paying the price (at least physically — it’s costing US a shitload financially). The whole thing is part of our baby-​prep routine. But anyhow…
Lulu and Luigis, which was once at Excelsior and Grand, has moved even closer to me and is now on Joppa and Excelsior, right next to the furniture store Traditions. I was experiencing dog-​separation anxiety and decided to pop in. This new expansion has allowed them to add a grooming facility, which since we bathe our babe at home is of little relevance to us, but probably good info for other breed owners. They still offer a ton of product as well as a small bakery.
But while I was in there I came across the cutest DFL dog collar (for big dogs btw), and at a reasonable 15 $. I wished that Charlotte was here for election day so she could sport it. Made me miss her more.