It’s not often that you see a business “Grand Opening” celebration where a local dignitary cuts the ribbon – with their teeth.
In this case, the local dig-nitary (see what we did there?) was a dog. And the business is the beloved Canine To Five in Detroit.
In 2005, Canine To Five Owner Liz Blondy launched a new dog daycare business at the corner of Cass and Mack Avenues in 6,000 square feet of space in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. Detroit was in a decline but everyone loved their best friends, their dogs. She took care of seven dogs that first day.
Fast forward 14 years, and the area is now booming with new residents and their pets. The location of the business is no longer known as Cass Corridor, preferring the branding of Midtown instead. The daycare averages 120 dogs a day and services have expanded to include grooming, training and boarding. Blondy also has a second 22,000 square foot location in Ferndale. Canine To Five employs 80 team members.
Blondy and a local pooch on Monday helped to cut the ribbon on a 10,000 square foot, $1.3 million expansion. Canine To Five will use 7,000 square feet, with 3,000 square feet leased to additional tenants. Capacity will grow to 175 dogs a day and there will be special rooms for senior dogs, private play and small dogs. Her growing grooming business will have its own entrance.
“I am so grateful to my clients who trust us to take care of their beloved pets every day,” said Blondy. “As a small business owner, it is really important to me to listen to my customers. We have grown with their needs over the past 14 years.
“It’s important to build a community of dog lovers in Detroit,” she added. “That’s why we launched Drinking with Dogs and our weekly Pack Walks. We don’t make any money off these activities, but our clients love getting to know one another.” The new season of Drinking with Dogs kicks off May 28 at The Skip and the Pack Walks leave from Cullen Park each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Detroit-based D MET was the project’s architectural firm and The Monahan Co. in Eastpointe managed the construction.
