Downtown Wheaton Shop Dog -- a Local 'Celebrity' -- Dies

WHEATON, IL - Bruno the bulldog had a charming personality and a darling underbite that melted the heart and put a smile on the face of many a customer stopping into Bella Roba in downtown Wheaton over the past three years.

The 8-year-old pup, who had become a celebrity of sorts in Wheaton, died unexpectedly earlier this month during a weekly water therapy session of what Bruno’s owner Stacy Jansen suspects was a brain aneurysm.

Jansen, who owns Bella Roba, started bringing Bruno in when her shop first opened in 2013. Customers, she said, would stop in just to see Bruno and kids would ask their parents to stop by to see the lovable 75-pound bulldog who served as a greeter at the store.

“He was treated like a king and loved and adored by all you met him. He will be greatly missed in Wheaton as he became one of the downtown celebrities always greeting his friends on the sidewalks in the summers,” Jansen wrote in a Facebook post on Jan. 15 -- the day after Bruno’s death. “Bella Roba will definitely never be the same without our big man.”

Bruno had a way of making his way into the middle of a group socializing outside the store in the summer and would hang out with or plant a kiss on a kid who was sitting on the sidewalk. He also had a habit of stealing shoes from the sitting room of Bella Roba, which sells high-end luxury clothing, artisan jewelry and antiques, Jansen said.

“Bruno was a hit. He brought people into the store,” Jansen said.

Since his death, the condolences have been pouring in. Jansen shared the news of Bruno’s death in an e-mail to customers and received over 300 responses. Several others have been sharing their memories and well wishes over Facebook.

“So sorry to hear this!! He was such a sweet guy and will be remembered fondly,” Julie Rusin of Wheaton wrote on the Bella Roba Facebook page.

“So sad; will miss seeing him sleeping peacefully in store. He is now resting elsewhere, but will remain in our hearts and memory,” Patti Heisler wrote.

Bruno also got glowing reviews on the Yelp.com page for Bella Roba. Here is what one reviewer, Sam P. of Wheaton, wrote about Bella Roba and Bruno in June 2014:

Confession: I haven’t a clue what is sold in this store. But I do know one thing, and that’s Bruno. He and this shop seem to share an owner, so he can often be found milling about, greeting his fans inside or out. Sorry that this is my least credible Yelp review ever, but I am in love with this dog (and I don’t even really like dogs all that much.) You, too, will surely fall for this lovable fellow with the charmingly oversized underbite.

Photo credit: Sam P. Bella Roba Yelp review

Bella Roba is located at 104 Hale St. and is a unique concept store that sells high-style luxury clothing, artisan jewelry, antiques, custom painted and upholstered furniture, décor, gifts and one of a kind found items. Goods are sourced locally and internationally, and meticulously considered for quality and beauty. The shop also has two other “shop dogs.”

Photo credit: Bella Roba Facebook page