Debra LoFranco had an issue with her beloved 70-pound dog, Trevor, who required regular nail trimming. His nail quick was getting clipped at the groomers and he wasn't happy. She searched unsuccessfully for a solution other than routine sedation.
Finally, after Trevor innocently ripped her clothes and furniture and scratched friends and family, Debra headed over to a store and bought a plastic crayon box, sand paper, duct tape and treats. She hoped she could create a toy that Trevor would play with that also trimmed his own nails. "Trevor went nuts. It worked," she said.
That inspiration has borne fruit with the creation and manufacture of Scratch Square -- a durable grooming toy with handles for playing, a rubber contour that's fairly indestructible and a way to include treats that rattles and stimulates a dog's attention.
Scratch Square is one of the featured products of Debra's new woman-owned business De' Vora meaning for "one that eats". Foregoing her work in and around Atlantic County at the former Revel Casino, ReNewJersey Stronger, Golden Nugget Casino and Hard Rock Casino, Debra is devoting her full energy to De'Vora.
Her two-year effort from inspiration to product in hand was full of challenges. Fortunately, she sought advice from the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Stockton
Visit De'Vora Shop This Saturday at Renault Winery's Vintner Wonderland
See Scratch Square and De'Vora's other pet products on national "I Love My Pet Day" from noon to 6pm, Saturday, February 20 at Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City. At the De'Vora's store, staff will handle out goodies and take orders. Entertainment on tap for "I Love My Pet Day" is cheezy and crackers from 12-4pm, the Bill Billy Walton Band from 6-10pm and Dueling Pianos from 5-pm. Through February 28, Renault's Winery Vintner Wonderland is a great way to chase away the winter blues for the whole family. See the full list of events below where De'Vora will be exhibiting.
University which helped secure a significant loan to launch the business. While working on Scratch Square, she opened De'Vora's online store in December 2019 with a variety of products. When Covid hit, she regrouped with her manufacturer and managed to get the prototype in hand by September of last year expecting a large shipment in time for the holidays.
Her pre-sale promotion in the fall at farmers markets and crafts fairs and quickly generated 348 orders. "I couldn't believe people were happy going away with a free gift or two and the promise o the product being delivered," she said.
In a final hiccup, the product never arrived on Dec. 4 because of a manufacturing problem. After some tinkering, two plus years after the crayon box, on January 28 Scratch Square arrived.
Debra says, "It's already proving to be profitable venture and we're giving back to the community." Scratch Square is available online at her store, at events this spring and summer (see list below) eventually at Walmart and Amazon.
Introducing...
Pets will trim and file their own nails with Scratch Square with exercising and playing with family and friends. Say goodbye to the groomer and hello to Scratch Square. Order yours today.
Visit the De'Vora Shop at these events in the next few months:
* Cherry Mall Mall Weekends March through May.
* Global Pet Expo@ Orange County Convention Center Wednesday March 24th- Friday March 26 2021 , 9800 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819 Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m./ Thursday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m/ Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
April
* Red Bank Street Fair & Craft Show @ The DownTown Sunday, April 11th, 2021 10 W Front St. Red Bank, NJ 07701 Sunday: 11 am- 5 p.m.
* C.R.O.P.S. Spring Market @ Linwood Central Square Saturday, April 17th 199 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221. Saturday: 9 a.m.- 12 Noon
* Short Hills/Millburn Street Fair & Craft Show @ DownTown Development Alliance Sunday, April 18th 44 Main St. Millburn, NJ 07041Sunday: 11 am- 5 p.m.
* Cape May MAC April Crafts & Collectibles Show @Emlen Physick Estate, Saturday, April 24, 2021. 1048 Washington St. Cape May, NJ 08204 Saturday: 10am-4pm
* Tenafly Street Fair & Craft Show @ Tenably Historic Railroad Station. Sunday, April 25th 1 Piedmont Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 Sunday: 11 am- 5 p.m.
May
* C.R.O.P.S. Spring Market @ Linwood Central Square Saturday, May 1st, 202. 199 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221. Saturday: 9 a.m.- 12 Noon
* Highland Park Street Fair & Craft Show @ Rout 27 Sunday, May 2nd 212 Rarity Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904. Sunday: 11 am- 5 p.m.
* Garden State Plaza Food Truck Fest @ Garden State Plaza Sunday, May 2nd 2021 One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652 Sunday: 11a-7p
* Cape May MAC, Spring Crafts & Collectibles Show @ Emlen Physick Estate, Saturday, May 8, 2021, 1048 Washington St. Cape May, NJ, 08204 Saturday: 10am-4pm
* St. Ann Classical Academy Fest @ Hillsborough Elks Lodge Sunday, May 8th 1500 Brooks Blvd, Manville, NJ 08835 Sunday: 11a-7p
* C.R.O.P.S. Spring Market @ Linwood Central Square Saturday, May 15th 199 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221. Saturday: 9 a.m.- 12 Noon
* World Dog Expo (PET FRIENDLY) @ Meadowlands Exposition Center Saturday, May 22nd & Sunday, May 23rd 2021. 355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094 Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
* Raceway Park Spring Beeriest @ Raceway Park Saturday, May 22nd 230 Pension Rd, Englishtown, NJ 07726 Saturday: 12n-9p
* C.R.O.P.S. Spring Market @ Linwood Central Square Saturday, May 22nd 199 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221. Saturday: 9 a.m.- 12 Noon
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, May 28th.
Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* C.R.O.P.S. Spring Market @ Linwood Central Square Saturday, May 29th 199 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221. Saturday: 9 a.m.- 12 Noon
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, May 29th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
June
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, June 4th. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Donaldson Farms Food Truck Fest @ Donaldson Farms, Saturday, June 5th 358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Saturday: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, June 5th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, June 11th. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Pet Palooka @ Mennen Arena Saturday, June 12th 161 Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960 Saturday: 11a-7p
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, June 12th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, June 18th. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, June 19th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, June 25th.Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Cape May MAC, Summer Crafts & Collectibles Show @ Emlen Physick Estate, Saturday, June 26, 2021. 1048 Washington St. Cape May, NJ, 08204, Saturday: 10am-4pm
* Passaic County Food Truck fest @Weasel Brook Park Saturday, June 26th 1 Westervelt Pl, Clifton, NJ 07011 Saturday: 11a-7p
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday June 29th. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
July
* Galloway Green Market @Historical Simthville Thursday July 1st, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ 08205 Thursday 4p.m.- 7 p.m.
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, July2nd. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, July 3rd. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday July 6th. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, July 10th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* 3rd Annual Empanada Festival @ Garden State Plaza Sunday, July 11th One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652 Sunday: 11a-7p
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, July 9th.
Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday July 13th. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, July16th. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, July 17th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday July 20th. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, July 23rd. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, July 24th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* 3rd Annual ARC of Warren County Festival @ Donaldson Farms Saturday, July 24th 358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Saturday: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday July 27th. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, July 30th. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, July 31st. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
August
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday August 3rd 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
* Galloway Green Market @Historical Simthville Thursday August 5th, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ 08205 Thursday 4p.m.- 7 p.m.
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, August 6th. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* August 7: National Lighthouse Day Crafts & Collectibles Show
Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., 9am-2pm
* VonThun Farms Food Truck Fest @ VonThun Farms Saturday, August 7th , 2021 438 NJ-57, Washington, NJ 07882 Saturday: 11:00pm – 7:00pm
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday August 10th. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, August 13th. Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* NJ Cornhole Festival @ Mennen Arena Field August 14th 161 Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960 11a-7p
* August 14: Craft Beer, Music and Crab Festival (Day 1)
Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., 10am-6pm
* SuperZoo @ Mandalay bay. Sunday, August 15th - Thursday, Aug. 19th 20201. 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Sunday- Thursday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, August 21st. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday August 24th. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, August 27th.Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Brigantine Farmers Market @ Sheridan Place. Saturday, August 28 th. 1504 Bayshore Ave. Brigantine, NJ 08203. Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon
* West Cape May Farmers Market @ West Cape May Borough Hall “Backyard Park” Tuesday August 31st. 732 Broadway West Cape May, NJ 08204, Tuesdays, 3:00-7:30pm
September
* Galloway Green Market @Historical Smithville Thursday September 2nd, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ 08205 Thursday 4p.m.- 7 p.m.
* VENTNOR CITY FARMERS MARKET @ Holy Trinity Parish Friday, August 6th.Newport and Atlantic Avenues, Ventnor NJ 08406 Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 12 Noon.
* Salute to Summer Festival @ Borough’s Backyard Park, 732 Broadway in West Cape May (behind the Fire House), Saturday, September 4, 202. 9 am - 4pm
* Parsippany Food Truck Fest @ Arlington Plaza September 18th 808 US-46, Parsippany, NJ 07054 11a-7p
* September 18: Harvest Brew Fest @ Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., 10am-6pm
* NJ BBQ Festival @ Weasel Brook Park September 26th 1 Westervelt Pl, Clifton, NJ 07011 11a-7p
October
* Garden State Plaza Food Truck Fest @ Garden State Plaza Sunday, October 3rd One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652 Sunday: 11a-7p
* Middlesex Boro Food Truck and Music Fest @ Mountain view Park October 9th 302 John F Kennedy Drive Middlesex, NJ 11am-7pm
* October 10: Victorian Weekend Crafts & Collectibles @ Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., 10am-4pm
* Raceway Park Oktoberfest Beer festival @ Raceway Park Saturday, October 16th , 2021 230 Pension Rd, Englishtown, NJ 07726 Saturday:12n-9pm
* October 23: Crafts & Collectibles by the Sea @Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., 10am-4pm
* Oktober Food and Beer Fest @ Hillsborough Elks Lodge October 23rd, 1500 Brooks Blvd, Manville, NJ 08835 11a-7p
November
* November 13: Fall Crafts & Collectibles @ Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., 10am-4pm
* November 26 & 27: Holiday Crafts & Collectibles @ Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., 10am-4pm
December 2021
* Renault Winery (PET FRIENDLY) Vineyard Wonderland (TBD) . @ 72 Bremen Ave, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 Friday: 4 pm- 8 pm, Saturday: Noon-8 pm, Sunday: Noon- 6 pm
* Holiday Beer & Wine Fest @ Morristown Armory Sunday, December 18th 430 Western Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960 Sunday: 12n-4p & 5p-9p
