Savannah Karnow is set to open her pet grooming business, Bark Ave LLC, in South Amherst April 2. (Larissa Beriswill – The Morning Journal)
Bark Ave will open. LLC to a new home at 101 N. Lake St. in South Amherst on April 2.
Owner Savannah Karnow, who has more than two decades of grooming experience, said she decided to open her own business because of her experience and growing client list.
Bark Ave. has outgrown its space at Alpha-Dog Pet Centers in Amherst, Karnow said.
Services at Alpha-Dog Bark Ave. will continue full-service pet grooming, including bathing, hair trimming, ear cleaning and nail trimming for all breeds, he said.
“I also do cats,” Karnow said. “I have bathed ferrets too.
“I also cut nails from rats, guinea pigs, rabbits; you name it, and I cut its nails.”
Because each animal’s hair is different, Karnow says a typical grooming appointment can last between two and two and a half hours, depending on the animal.
“I have different shampoos; oatmeal shampoo if the dog is itchy; or de-shed if a dog is shedding their coat,” she says.
He said his new space and schedule will allow him to take on additional clients.
Surrounded by animals most of his life, Karnow said he began grooming at age 13 working with his mother, Lana Karnow, who owns Barking Barbers Inc. in North Ridgeville.
The younger Karnow said his mother taught him how to organize and run a business.
“Animals have always been a part of my life, and I’ve been coming to my mother’s work since I was little,” she said. “To see the dogs come in and be so excited to see me, and just to make them look good and see them happy when they leave, that’s the best thing.”
Karnow said he had been “eyeballing” the salon space for several years, after noticing it was vacant following the closing of a barber shop.
“Just perfect; it has a good feeling when I sit here. I love it,” he said. “This has always been my goal, I’ve always wanted my own, so it’s really surreal.
“But, I’m excited for this trip and I wouldn’t be here without my mom.”
