total wine dog policy

[DeKyle]

So, you're wondering if your four-legged friend can help you sniff out a good vintage? It seems you're in luck, for the most part. Total Wine & More generally operates with a dog-friendly attitude, happily welcoming well-behaved, leashed pups to browse the aisles with their humans. The Knoxville store, for example, posted that they "love seeing your furry friends," which is about as clear a welcome mat as you can get.

However, don't start thinking it's a universal, no-holds-barred bark-fest just yet. The ultimate decision-maker isn't the store manager, but rather the local and state health codes. If your local regulations put the kibosh on pets being in establishments that sell food items, then Total Wine's hands are tied, and your canine companion will have to wait outside. This means the policy can vary from one location to another.

Of course, this caveat does not apply to legitimate service animals, which are protected under the ADA and are permitted to accompany their owners anywhere the public is allowed. For your personal pet, though, the smartest move is to simply give your local Total Wine a quick call before you head out. It’s a small step to ensure you and your co-pilot don't get turned away at the door.