The window display at Barkery on Broad features the figure of a Labrador Retriever sitting in a faux bubble bath, and a Boston terrier peeks playfully from its sign outside and logo. Artwork of dogs hangs on the walls to welcome in all dog owners.
Located at 908B Broad St., the Barkery on Broad not only offers pet grooming, it is a boutique with items for pet lovers for the holidays and year round.
“We sell all natural, locally made treats by Paws and Claws. The owner of Paws and Claws sells her treats at a couple of places on Broad Street,” said Rachel Niederhauser, who has owned the Barkery on Broad for two years. It’s been a part of Broad Street’s business scene for five years in all.
For the holidays, she has some specially themed treats, including giant teddy bears plus red and green donut-shaped ones. and even some gingerbread man-shaped treats. The treats in the bins in the counter are sold by the pound. The colorful ones in the display case atop their counter, looking like the canine equivalent of a display in a candy store, are sold individually.
Kat Duscio, Barkery on Broad’s bather and groomer apprentice who has worked there 10 months, said, “The cookies have definitely been top sellers. Everyone wants a treat for their baby.”
Barkery on Broad offers a variety of items.
“A lot of the brands here, you cannot find in the big stores,” Niederhauser said.
A selection of different colors of Plush harnesses and leashes from Myplushusa.com, a pet product company in Augusta, are sold in the boutique. According to the myplushusa.com website, “The Plush® Patented Snap Button, makes it easy for anyone to “snap” on or off with one hand. Conveniently located above the Velcro, the Quick Release is guaranteed not to snag your dog’s furry coat.”
Harnesses of nearly all colors of the rainbow line their display wall.
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Though not local, a colorful variety of little bow ties for pets are beside the harnesses.
Barkery on Broad also has T-shirts for humans and leashes and collars made from recycled tires.
Not only does the boutique have T-shirts for humans, it offers shirts in different colors and patterns such as plaid and an array of colored dresses for dogs. Other merchandise includes collars and some toys.
A selection of corporate treats is also available. The business does not sell dog food.
“We enjoy the store front part. But there is more of a focus on our grooming services.” Niederhauser said. “People who come in to buy treats and other items do ask questions about what we provide as far as the dog grooming.”
She’s currently taking appointments for small haircuts and baths. She’s not doing any large haircut appointments at the moment, she said.
She offers walk-in nail trims.
And for those who want to do some of it themselves.
“We do allow people to bathe their dogs at self-service stations,” she said, but the grooming tables are only for use by the staff.
She mentioned shampoo, a high-powered dryer and other necessary items are available.
Barkery on Broad is open every day of the week except Sundays and Mondays. For additional information on hours and appointments, call (706) 691-3242.
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Baxley asked for dog grooming advice
I brought my eight year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Ziggy, into the business for some advice.
Duscio, the bather and grooming apprentice, recommended a de-shed for Ziggy.
“We use a rake-style comb, and we use a conditioner on the back during bathing to release the fur that is already loose. We will then blow out the loosened fur. Then, we use a small rake comb,” she explained. “Then, basically, you will see the remainder of the healthy hair.”
She mentioned this is within a package that the business offers.
“The nails, the bath and the deshed are done within a package,” Duscio said. Prices vary on packages, and customers will need to discuss that with the business.
Niederhauser showed a small rake with 13 teeth and used it on Ziggy. Ziggy had been combed with a pet wire brush and a mitten gadget the previous evening, and two large clumps of fur were removed this way. When Niederhauser was finished with her rake, at least four handfuls or more of loose fur had been removed.
“Depending on the dog, there is a tool used for each coat type,” she said.
Niederhauser stated as with some other breeds, she does not recommend shaving down a Pembroke Welsh Corgi because of their two layers of fur and the protection that it serves.
Ron Baxley Jr. is a correspondent for The Augusta Press.
