Making organic dog treats with Growlin Gourmet

Steve Harmon, chef and owner of Growlin Gourmet stands next to a fresh batch of dog treats in his kitchen at the Pepperell Mill Campus, photographed by Portland Headshot.

Growlin Gourmet, treats for our four legged friends

Since I have had my studio here at the Pepperell Mill Campus, I’ve walked by the kitchen at Growlin Gourmet hundreds of times. Each time the door is open Steve is busy making a fresh batch of his organic dog treats for the furry friends that often stop by. Check out his story below.

Who are you and where are you from?

We are Steve and Marianne Harmon, we live in Cape Elizabeth.

Tell me a little about your business?

We make organic human grade dog treats.

What made you choose the mill for your business?

We chose the mill for a couple of reasons. It’s got a great community feel to it, with lots of activity and interesting business’s around. We also chose the mill because there are not a lot of places I could have put in a professional kitchen with plumbing, gas lines, and hood system.

How long have you been doing this?

We started our business in 2006.

What makes your business interesting to you?

While my customers can’t talk, it’s interesting to see lots of tails wagging when I see them and to hear stories from dog owners about how their dog will sit in front of a drawer or cabinet that has our treats in them and bark to let mom and dad know they would like one.

What makes you stand out from others in the same industry?

We use human grade organic ingredients. I make them by hand in small batches that are baked and not extruded. I won’t feed anything to my dogs that I won’t eat.