The GroomeryIt didn’t take Capri Brown-Dickson five years to figure out that dogs walking in the door to get groomed weren’t exactly excited to see her. In her five years as a groomer, however, she has learned how to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Comfort for pets and their owners was one major goal she set out to accomplish when opening her own shop — The Groomery — in downtown Charlotte this past May. She and fellow groomer, Katlin Stark have been serving clients since May 16.
“We want this to be a great experience for them,” Capri said. “This is not just a job. We do it because we love it and is very satisfying to us to make these guys feel better and make their parents feel better.”
One way to make visiting pets more comfortable is by offering dog runs with raised beds, which allows more freedom of movement for animals waiting to be groomed or to be picked up by their owners. The Groomery also diffuses essential oils throughout the shop, bringing a calming effect to the entire space.
Capri fell in love with the space, located at 116 E. Lovett and knew it offered advantages she didn’t have at her previous shop.
“We were able to get it all renovated in 60 days thanks to wonderful contractors and amazing family members that helped out,” Capri said.
The shop features the main grooming area, with three grooming stations, a retail area complete with complimentary coffee for owners who like to wait while their pet is groomed, and a separate wash and blow dry area. The Groomery also features a self-bathing area for customers who would like to bathe their own pet. The self-bathing area is offered on a walk-in, first come first serve basis.
“It features the same tub, shampoo, dryer and tools we use,” Capri said. “The only difference is you are doing the bathing.”
The Groomery uses Chris Christensen professional dog grooming products for all services and offers a Peace and Kindness service for dogs that suffer from allergies. Customers can ask for everything from a full grooming service for their pets to a nail or face trim.
The Groomery is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, find The Groomery on Facebook or call (517) 997-3050.