A Fulton woman who is soon to become a mother, Chandra Collins, recently decided it was time to open her own pet salon.
"I live in Fulton, and seems more efficient for me to be in Fulton," she said. "And I'm going to have a child soon."
Champion Pet Salon, across the road from United Credit Union at 1215 South U.S. Business 54 in Fulton, will have a grand opening at 3 p.m. March 9, with refreshments, a ribbon cutting by Callaway Chamber of Commerce members, and a free grooming giveaway.
Collins has been grooming pets about four years and has done grooming competitions with a grey Standard Poodle for several years. She has been operating out of her mother's grooming salon between Auxvasse and Mexico.
"I wanted to be a veterinarian and I went to school for that for a year," she said. "But I started grooming and I loved it. I always loved art and animals, so now I do both."
Ever get a sense of guilt when confronted by a pair of golden brown eyes when leaving for work in the morning? Collins offers doggie day care, and will soon offer overnight stays when her clients' human parents need that kind of service.
"I'm trying to make it more like a salon," she said, adding massage baths and aromatherapy sessions are available.
Her space has comfy leather sofas where animal parents can hang out while waiting for a service, or they can pick their pets up later. The bathing area has a tub for smaller pets and a larger tub with stairs for heavier pets.
She offers facials to clean up furry faces, using blueberry cleanser that's tearless and can be used on wet or dry fur. Collins can trim and smooth nails for $12 for walk-ins. She can do full-blown grooming by appointment: Baths, ears, anal glands, mani-pedi trims and hair cuts. Services start at $35 and prices depend on services.
Because spring is such a hairy season, Collins can also de-shed your animal for $15.
Lots of treat samples are on hand, and once she determines what's popular, she'll order more. People can also find some pet accessories, toys and food; again, more will be ordered depending on popularity.
Being a pet mom herself, Collins said she understands the stresses that salon trips pose for some animals, and wants to make them comfortable. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit its Facebook page and websiteat bit.ly/2EKcPeV. To make an appointment, call 573-592-9114.