Ali-Paws Traditions Continue Under New Groomer

Lisa Voigt knows the reward of being licked in the face.

She's taken over Adorable Pet Grooming and Nutrition—formerly known as Ali-Paws All Breed Grooming—after the shop was in jeopardy of closing in the wake of the sudden death of former owner and founder Joan Johnson. 

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Johnson had attracted devoted clientele, many of whom had frequented the shop since its founding nearly 20 years ago. After Johnson's death, various groomers handled the clientele's dogs, but it wasn't until six weeks ago that they found consistency again with Voigt, who intends to remodel the shop and hire more employees.

Like Johnson, who friends and family described as creative, Voigt views grooming as art.

"Physically its very demanding. They don't like you plucking and clipping at them.  It really tests your love for animals," Voigt said. "The best part is when they kiss you and cuddle with you, I love that."

The transition period was tough for clients such as Jamie Brennan Muscleman. She and her half toy poodle and half miniature schnauzer, Emma—hair died purple on the ears and tail with streaks of blue and hot pink on the paws—were used to regular visits with Johnson. 

"I was stressing out because you don't know who you're giving your dog to. You don't want your dog abused; a dog is like your kid," she said of learning about Johnson's death.

Still, Voigt—a certified master groomer by the International Pet Groomers' Association—finds her returning customers receptive and sweet. When she decided to take over and open shop, she didn't expect the successful response she got, "business has been going well and clients are receptive from their previous experience here."

Local client of four years, Deedee Kling, came in to pick up her Airedale Terrier wasn't afraid to ask Voigt to change certain aspects of the grooming which Voigt attended to wholeheartedly. "She doesn't get bummed out when you don't like it," Kling said. 

Voigt plans to close down on Nov. 6 for a 10-day remodel. Besides expanding on the number of cages, adding fresh coats of paint and transforming the shop to be a more soothing environment, Voigt also plans to bring in high-end dog and cat products, such as food lines like Taste of the Wild and Origin.

Not only does Voigt plan to expand by hiring more groomers and helping more dogs, she also wants to teach grooming if there is demand for it.

"Many come back here because maybe the grooming is not so great around here.  Many don't have the training either," Voigt said.