Dog owners, rejoice! If your furry friend is in need of a haircut or other professional grooming services, look no further than the Cutest Dog, which is set to open in July at 9448 W. 47th St. in Brookfield.
The business will be run by Summit resident Aidy Diaz and Cicero resident Valeria Mora, two friends who both work in the dog grooming industry. Diaz has about four years of experience caring for canines while Mora has about five, the pair said.
“The grooming salon offers a one-on-one experience for your cutest hairy friend, providing a stress-free environment in the process of the grooming. We dedicate the attention needed to focus on their needs,” Diaz told the Landmark.
She said the business partners will offer haircuts, shedding reduction for dogs with two coats, flea baths, brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning and trimming in a “quieter and more relaxed atmosphere” to help make their clients’ dogs more comfortable while they’re being groomed.
“It’s a spa-like experience for your dogs,” she said. “It’s more of a one-on-one. We’re not having a bunch of dogs at once because we know that that stresses them out, and it’s harder to work in that environment.”
Mora emphasized that both women are certified in different aspects of grooming. Diaz is certified in bathing dogs with hair and skin conditions alongside first aid and CPR trainings. Mora has certifications in using natural treatments and working with senior dogs, including dogs with hearing conditions, as well as on the business side of things.
“We are certified groomers,” Mora said.
She acknowledged the Cutest Dog will open only blocks away from Frisky Dog Daycare, 9216 W. 47th St., but said they offer another kind of service.
“They have a doggy daycare, dog grooming services, boarding services, and we’re a private spa experience for the dog, one-on-one grooming service,” she said. “We’re different. We’re a different business.”
According to documents from Brookfield’s village board, the business will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. About four to seven dogs will be seen by appointment each day.
Mora said the business’s lower capacity is intentional to prevent overcrowding or risk dissatisfying owners with their dog’s care based on things she’s heard in other dog grooming businesses.
“The owners’ questions are like, ‘Why are my dogs in a cage? Why do you guys have so many dogs at the same time, and why does my dog take 7 to 10 hours to get groomed?’” she said. “Our goal is to keep the grooming process to two to four hours. That’s the limit, so it’s more stress-free for the owner, too.”
Village trustees approved a variation from the zoning code to permit a dog grooming business at the planned location, which used to be a barber shop, as part of the consent agenda at their June 23 meeting.
Diaz said Mora was the one who first taught her the skills of dog grooming. For the moment, they both work full-time as groomers elsewhere, but they said they can’t wait to jump into The Cutest Dog.
“We’re so excited. We’re so scared, but I’m like, let’s do it!” Mora said. “I love working with animals, so I think it’s meant to be. She has four years of experience. I have five years of experience, and I’m like, ‘Why not right now? Let’s just do it!’ It’s our moment.”
