The winner of Start-up Port Hawkesbury says the winter months will be used to set things up for spring construction.
Michele Tabensky says she can’t capitalize on the free rent portion of the prize because there’s no facility within the town that accommodates the space that’s needed indoors and outdoors; town officials are working with her to come up with a solution.
She says doggy daycare, boarding, grooming and training services are all things that will be offered at That Dog Place.
Tabensky tells The Hawk there’s a need to provide those services in the Quad Counties.
“I’d have to rely on family or friends or neighbours- they have to travel 40-60 (minutes), even three hours,” she says. “I know some people take their dogs to other boarding facilities while they’re away for vacation or work.”
Tabensky says she hopes to employ four people, with potential for more in the future.
She say she’s thought about the idea before, but Start-up Port Hawkesbury made it the right time to try to get things off the ground.
Tabensky says she has always been impacted by dogs.
“I’ve always had dogs all my life and I’m always around other dogs,” she says. “I know there’s a need for dog care in the Strait area- it only made sense to open up That Dog Place.”
Tabensky says an educational workshop will also likely come down the road.
She says she hopes to open by the start of summer.
Photo credit: Strait Area Chamber of Commerce