There will be a new addition to Portage Avenue next Tuesday when Yvonne Desaulniers opens her pet grooming store, Luv-A-K9-Grooming, next to Ocean’s Pet Store.
“I am from Dryden originally, and I had my pet grooming business up there for seven years,” Desaulniers said. “My husband got work down here and I decided that it might be a good idea to start up my business again.
“I went into Ocean’s to inquire into setting up in their store, just as the owner was about to place an ad looking for a groomer,” she added. “It just seemed to all happen at the right time.”
Now with less than a week before her grand-opening May 1, Desaulniers is busy making sure she will be ready for the customers she’s been booking for the past few days.
“I have gotten a lot of response from the community about the store,” she noted. “Back in Dryden, I had about 300 clients who would come to me on a regular basis. It was great because you get to know the dogs and they become comfortable with you.
“Now I have to start all over, and I know it will take some time, but I really did not expect the community to be as positive as they have been,” she admitted. “I have already had some bookings and I haven’t even opened yet.”
In fact, Desaulniers said she went into the bank the other day and people started asking her if she was the new person who was going to be opening the store.
“It was so nice to have people respond that way. We are very excited about opening up the store,” she enthused.
Although much of her store’s operation will depend on the response she gets from customers, Desaulniers said she’s planning to offer the same services here as she did in Dryden.
“A grooming will basically consist of an ear cleaning and nail clipping, along with a bath and a cut,” she noted. “It is very important to get your do groomed every six weeks in order to maintain a healthy coat.
“I am hoping people will remember that and will set up an appointment to have their dog groomed with us.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
