Tails Doggie Boutique to Close July 31

Tails Doggie Boutique will close its doors at the end of July with plans to reopen "bigger and better" in a new Wellesley location within two months.

Owner Noreen Hardin is looking for a partner to help expand the business when it reopens and is still considering different locations.

The decision to close was forced upon Hardin, who has been suffering with a staph infection on the ring finger of her right hand since February.

"My finger was in terrible pain and I went to the E.R. thinking I'd get a shot or a prescription and go home," she said.

She ended up spending eight days at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and then another eight weeks of daily antibiotic treatments at the hospital. But even that didn't completely cure the stubborn infection which reappeared in May.

"So now I need surgery and a period of recovery," she said. "It's a good time to regroup."

Hardin, who opened Tails in 2004 at 562 Washington St., said she has been in overdrive as long as she can remember, and now sees things differently because of her illness.

"It really knocks you to your senses. I realized I've been maxed-out for sometime. It's time to start again with a fresh set of eyes - eyes that can tweet and do facebook," she said.

Hardin said she hasn't seen any dip in business since the Petco store Unleashed opened on Linden Street.

"It's still all the same familiar faces," she said. "I think people are willing to drive around the block a couple times to find a parking space if they need to."

Tails, which provides grooming services and carries dog food and treats, all types of leashes and collars, toys, beds and an assortment of novelty dog items, will sell all its merchandize at 30 percent discount until in closes on July 31.

"The most important thing for me right now is to have my health so that I can get back to what I do best," Hardin said.