European Friends Realize Dream of Opening Pet Grooming Business

Olga Bozzelli gently held her Yorkshire Terrier, Bama, in her arms as she described her new business at 2752. W. Lawrence Ave.

That space will soon house Pet Zone, offering grooming and daycare for both dogs and cats. 

The owners—Bozzelli and close friend Renata Dobrzynski—came from Latvia with the dream of starting a pet business. After working for two years, Bozzelli said it was time to start looking for a storefront. 

“We came here, started to work and still didn’t give up on the idea because it’s great when people do what they like in their life,” she said.

The two expect to be open this week, provided the business passes inspections on Monday. 

Bozzelli said she wanted to be in a market with a large concentration of dog owners, and with dog owners comes dog businesses. Jack and Ginger Dog Care, Ruff Haus Pets and two other pet places are within a half-mile.

“We decided it was better to be around people who do the same as you… it makes more sense than to go to a desert where there’s nothing,” Bozzelli said.

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The business also borders the Animal House of Chicago, a veterinary clinic for exotic and regular pets. Dr. Byron de la Narrave is the vet and owner of the building. 

Bozzelli said he was looking for a pet-themed business to rent out the empty storefront next to the clinic. 

“It was a perfect fit and worked out with the right time,” she said. 

The space was previously a pet store and an All Phases Dog Training center before that.