New Pet Resort and Spa Bringing in Jobs

The , 8154 N. Tamiami Trail,is in the process of hiring 30 full and part-time workers to run the doggy day care, boarding area and pet spa set to open in the second week of June.

Robert Huff, 65, a lifetime entrepreneur from Dayton, Ohio, sold his businesses up north to his children and immediately began looking for something else to do.

“I just couldn’t retire,” said Huff. “And then one morning I woke up at 3 a.m. with this idea: to combine my love of animals and my love of being an entrepreneur into a state of the art, luxury pet resort and spa that is like nothing else in the region.”

That idea became a reality with the purchase of the former Rip Van Winkle bowling alley building, just north of the airport. After winning rezoning approvals with from the Manatee County Commissioners, Huff began a  complete renovation of the bowling alley., keeping only the four outer walls.

Jeff Charlotte, President of J.E. Charlotte Construction in Venice has orchestrated the renovation and re-build of the former bowling alley.

“It was a huge project,” said Jeff Charlotte, president of J.E. Charlotte Construction in Venice. “A bowling alley typically has three levels — where you enter, where you watch, and where you bowl — but a pet resort should only have one. So we basically gutted the entire building while keeping the outer walls intact to be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly.”

Together with architect George Palermo, the team value-engineered the job to make the most efficient use of the existing structure and to get the project done in just under five months. 

J.E. Charlotte Construction installed a brand new roof system, on top of the old and by keeping the existing outer walls in place, it reduced the amount of rubble going to landfills. All local sub-contractors were used for the construction.

“This is a great project for Sarasota and Manatee counties," Charlotte said. "Not only did this new business owner invest close to $4 million into this project, but he also put about 60 subs (sub-contractors) to work in this community.”

Huff has more than 30 years of business experience in owning, developing and managing various health care organizations and general businesses. Before starting the Bayside Pet Resort and Spa, Huff performed extensive research into pet lodging and boarding facilities both locally and nationwide and hired a top management team with more than 50 years of combined pet care and handling experience.

The management team is in the process of hiring about 20 to 30 full and part time positions. The team is also taking day-care, board and grooming reservations for anytime after its une 11 grand opening.

The Bayside Pet Resort & Spa touts itself as a luxury pet resort offering affordable five-star amenities to canine and feline guests with state-of-the-art accommodations, supervised doggie daycare and a wide array of grooming services. 

Pet suites start at $24 a night. The staff will provide opportunities for recreation and socialization, and pets will be pampered in one and two bedroom suites, some with plasma TV screens and web cams for owners to keep an eye on their pets from a distance, on their computer or smart phone.

The resort will host a variety of events leading up to the grand opening in June.