CARBONDALE — Elizabeth “Lizzy” Altier aims to establish a comforting space for both dogs and humans in the Pioneer City.
Altier — who is originally from California and studied in Spain — opened the Wolfie Lounge on Sunday along South Main Street at the front of the Hotel Anthracite.
“I started as a private chef, kind of traveling all over, and my last gig was in Scranton,” she said. “Then I decided to open a food truck, and then a storefront.”
Describing it as a community-focused boutique, cafe and pet-friendly concept, Altier rents space to small vendors, providing them an opportunity to expand their businesses.
“It’s kind of like an entrepreneur helping other entrepreneurs,” she said.
The storefront also features a safe space for dogs, and Altier will partner with local shelters to spotlight an adoptable animal every Sunday.
Altier also plans to provide workforce opportunities to students through a relationship with the University of Scranton and hopes to partner with other colleges and universities in the future.
“When they need credits, they can work here doing retail, or I do catering, so anything with culinary or baking,” she said.
Altier looks forward to meeting and interacting with many guests who visit the Hotel Anthracite.
“We’re kind of like their gift shop in a sense,” she said. “They’re pet friendly and this (space) is pet friendly, obviously.”
Adam Gooler, senior director of hospitality for Hotel Anthracite, believes Altier’s business will be a positive addition for residents in Carbondale and beyond.
“We love having her, we love seeing the Main Street businesses, it’s a great concept,” he said. “It’s something fun with the adoptable pups, and all of it together, it’s very nice. We’re very excited.”
Altier noted she will have emergency bags on hand for pet owners who may forget supplies for their dog when taking a trip.
A library of books available to read inside the Wolfie Lounge along South Main Street in Carbondale on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Mana Made, one of the small vendors who rent space inside Wolfie Lounge, along South Main Street in Carbondale, sells a variety of jewelry, including necklaces. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Wandering Graphics, one of the small vendors that rents space in the Wolfie Lounge along South Main Street in Carbondale, sells a variety of items including magnets, keychains, and earrings. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Altier inside her new business, The Wolfie Lounge, along South Main Street in Carbondale on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
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A library of books available to read inside the Wolfie Lounge along South Main Street in Carbondale on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Wolfie Lounge currently houses about 17 small vendors. Altier said the space has room for up to 25.
“It’s a little bit of everything for humans and a little bit of everything for the pups,” she said.
As part of the business, Altier will sell organic dog treats featuring flavors like peanut butter banana and peanut butter pumpkin, as well as custom cakes for dogs and people.
The lounge will also feature a cafe offering fresh-brewed coffee with a variety of syrups and lunch catering for groups from five to 80, Altier said.
Additionally, the business provides an opportunity for guests to relax and read a book from selections in its small library in the back of the store.
“The hope is that someone may walk through the door to buy a cup of coffee and discover a local artist, come in to pick up a cake and learn about an adoptable dog, shop for a pet treat and support another small business, or simply find a comfortable place in downtown Carbondale that feels a little different from anywhere else,” Altier said.