Callie Mae’s Barkery and Bath expands from Waldo base

By Kathy Feist

Many customers of Three Dog Bakery may remember the creative homemade dog treats made in-store along with elaborate holiday meals–a baked miniature version of the human kind–and hosted restaurant patio “dog nights out.” 

For nearly 16 years, Sarah Deter oversaw those events, working her way up to corporate chef for Three Dog Bakery. But after years of leadership changes, Deter decided it was time to open her own dog boutique. “With leadership changes, there’s always some degree of starting over,” she says. “Finally I was ready to do it the way I wanted to.”  

That opportunity took shape when she was introduced to Kansas City pet entrepreneur Andy Wiltz, owner of multiple Wolf’s Play and Stay locations and the Pet Butler dog-waste removal service. The two discovered they shared not only industry experience but a deep enthusiasm for all things dog-related. They joined forces to create Callie Mae’s Barkery and Bath, a boutique pet bakery and supply store with a focus on quality ingredients, product safety, and a fun, welcoming environment.

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The location opened next to popular ice cream shop Betty Rae’s on Wornall Road. “I happen to love Betty Rae’s,” says Deter. “So when the spot opened, I was like, ‘There’s always a line out the door. It would be great visibility.’”  The location, at 7140 Wornall Rd.,  offered strong walkability and available parking within the Romanelli district of Waldo.

While there are plenty of doggie boutiques in the Waldo-Brookside area, Callie Mae’s strength is in its in-house bakery. “My background is culinary.,” says Deter. “So the treats are our focus.”

 All dog treats and cakes are made on-site, with some products wholesaled to other pet-related shops. A colorful bakery case features a wide range of themed and novelty goodies, including cookies, miniature pies, s’mores, rice krispy bars, peanut butter cups, and even “Doritos” made from dried cheese. Goldfish-shaped cheddar fish crackers are among the shop’s most popular items.

Despite their fun appearance, the treats are designed with health in mind. “Everything we do is all natural ingredients,” says Deter. “We don’t add refined sugars to anything. So it’s healthier than it looks.” Sweetness comes from applesauce or honey, and decorations rely on yogurt and unsweetened carob. Colorings are dye-free and plant-based. Frosting for refrigerated treats is made from a blend of goat’s milk, buttermilk, and yogurt, a formula chosen to support digestibility for dogs.

Beyond baked goods, the store carries a curated selection of dog and cat products. Due to its small size, Callie Mae’s offers selective brands. “We’re pretty choosy about what we bring in,” says Deter. Products are evaluated on ingredient quality, sourcing practices, and safety records, including whether companies have faced recalls. The shop also offers self-wash dog bathing stations, where customers can bathe their dogs using provided supplies while staff handle cleanup.

Deter, who lives in Red Bridge and has a seven-year-old daughter, balances the growing business with family life and a household that currently includes two dogs and two cats. Expansion, however, is already underway. The company recently acquired and opened a former Three Dog Bakery location in Lee’s Summit at Summit Fair. A third store, in Lenexa, is under construction and expected to open by the end of the year.