If your furry friend is in need of a new ‘do, a trip to Scally Wags Pet Salon might be just what the stylist ordered.
“I wanted to create a mom-and-pop type shop where you can walk in and be able to ask questions,” says owner Ryan Gregoire about the pet grooming salon that opened in Ashburn’s Goose Creek Village shopping center in April.
The name Scally Wags is meant to embody that carefree and fun relationship. The company’s mission is to provide a friendly and supportive experience for dog owners, where there there a camaraderie between the staff and customers, Gregoire says.
Gregoire is a groomer with over 17 years of experience tending to furry customers. Several years ago, he says he had the idea to open his own salon but decided the timing wasn’t right. But after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gregoire witnessed an uptick in dog ownership and saw a new need for more grooming services, prompting him to take the leap and start his own business.
Offerings at Scally Wags include bath services, haircuts, and specialty shampoos. Playing off the pirate theme, Scally Wags offers what it calls “Pieces of Eight” treatments that go for $8 a piece, such as teeth brushing, anal gland expression, facial scrubs, nail grinding, eye trims, and, yes, mohawks.
At Scally Wags, Gregoire says his crew aims not only to tend to dogs’ grooming needs, but to teach owners how to care for their pets’ fur at home. For example, the groomers will share what type of brush to use for different breeds.
“I would much rather have clients that are happy to come to us, rather than need to come to us,” Gregoire says.
The Ashburn location at 42841 Creek View Plz. appealed to Gregoire because he noticed how many people walked around the area with their dogs.
He says the foot traffic to his business, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays to Tuesdays, has been fantastic so far. When Scally Wags opened its doors, the salon had 100 customers that Gregoire brought with him from his previous grooming work. A month later, the number of clients has tripled.
Gregoire says one aspect of the business he and his team encourage is for pet owners to freely seek advice about how to tend to their pets.“If anything, just stop on by, say hello, and ask questions,” Gregoire said.
Feature image courtesy Scally Wags
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