Pampered Pet and Boutique Barkery, a pet boutique that opened in October 2021 at Belle View Shopping Center, is expanding its presence there with the summer 2023 opening of a dog spa.
Pampered Pet Bark Bath will open in mid-to-late July in a space two doors down from the pet shop, said Karencita Echeverri, owner of both businesses. Echeverri, who won an “Excellence in Business” award from the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce this past December, decided to embark on the new venture about six months ago after asking customers what they thought about the prospect of a local dog washing and grooming business.
“It was kind of like a light bulb went off,” said Echeverri, who noted that around 80% of her customers live within a 3-mile radius of her current shop. She already has identified potential spa clients among the dogs and owners that frequent Westgrove Park and those that live at the condos across the street from the shopping center where bathroom space is tight.
Echeverri’s new 1,866 square-foot space at Belle View Shopping Center — formerly a 9Round kickboxing fitness studio — will feature six canine self-wash bays built in country style. Before and after appointments, dogs can lounge on fake grass instead of being kept in kennels, and their owners can bide their time in rocking chairs.
Besides the self-wash option, canine clients can also enjoy assisted wash service and get groomed. Echeverri said the spa will offer various add-on services, membership tiers and a pre-booking sale. Dogs weighing from three to 160 pounds will be welcome at the facility, which will hold occasional spa parties.
Once Echeverri gets through the permitting process and builds out the rest of the space, she will hire some employees — largely shampooers. She is still doing market research on the grooming side of the business but is trying to build a prospect base while the market is hot. Some groomers are booked months out, said Echeverri, so she is hoping her location provides a strategic advantage.
“Convenience is a huge thing,” she said.
Pampered Pet Bark Bath will be located at 1614 Belle View Boulevard in Alexandria.
