(This is a cross post.  I think I put it in the worng section the first time.)

 

Hi,

I am new to the board and wanted to introduce myself.  My name is Mic Foster and I am bringing a Pet Services business to downtown Cincinnati. I am looking at a few different buildings, but it's looking like either the 700 block of Main, or E. Court St.  We are going to offer boarding, daycare, training, grooming, and some retail. 

 

We are also going to be open on weekends as a place for pet owners to gather, have a beverage, and relax while there dogs exercise in our play rooms. 

 

I would love any input you folks have about renovating buildings in downtown.  I have been working on this project for about 6 months and it has been quite the learning experience.

Downtown boarding and pet daycare is a great idea.  It might be tough finding enough outdoor space for a run, though.  I don't know anything about renovating old buildings, but if you can make it work you will be seeing me for sure.

 

Good luck!

I appreciate the support.  We are buying a building that has about 4000 sqft of space for our business, and about 2000 sqft that I am going to make into a loft apartment.  The first floor will be grooming, a small dog playroom, and the "doggy potty".  The second floor will be training, boarding, and the big dog playroom. 

 

We are going to allow 26 dogs per day in daycare, and are already compiling the waiting list.  The cost of daycare will be $20 per day, grooming prices are by breed, training prices are by type of class, and our cage free boarding will be $30 per day. 

 

I have been so pleased with everyones reaction to the plan.  Apparently it is something downtown really needs.

 

Please spread the word, Bark Avenue is coming to Cincinnati!

Best of luck on your DT business adventure. It sounds interesting.

Thanks so much.  Hopefully all will go well.

Good luck with your new business!  Especially with more people moving downtown, I can really see a demand for this.  It seems that quite a few people own pets downtown.

Like everyone else I wish you luck. It's always great to see new businesses coming downtown no matter what it is, and this seems like an interesting concept. There are quite a lot of people that own pets in my building (in Clifton) and I see other people walking their dogs around the neighborhood all the time so I'd definitely recommend advertising your services to this area as well because it's only a mile and a half away and there seems to be a high pet population.

Thanks for the support everyone.

 

37 E Court St. looks like the winner.  I spent a lot of time there today and the set up looks great. I think the biggest adjustment for me will be living in downtown.  I have been living in the Suburbs for about 8 years now.  Living on court street should be fun, but I am a little hesitant. 

 

Do many folks on here live in Downtown? 

Do many folks on here live in Downtown? 

 

Yeah, out of the Cincy forumers, there is probably a high percentage, including myself on 7th St.

 

I think the idea is good, you are going to have to hold out. I'm amazed at the businesses that close, but they never advertised in the first place (or put out a lot of advertising).

 

I hope your business goes good and as always I am glad to see the city win another one over.

 

I have a cat by the way ... oh well! ;)

Things are going pretty well so far.  My folks had dinner with the Mayor on Saturday night and pitched my idea, and he was supportive.  I am hoping that is going to help me plow through the "conditional use" red tape.

 

We are putting together our waiting list for Bark Avenue membership for daycare and boarding.  We are only allowing 26 dogs per day for daycare, and 30 per day for boarding at our Downtown Cincinnati location. 

 

If anyone living in the Cincinnati area would be interested in joining Bark Avenue please email me at [email protected]

 

Our Grand Opening is going to be August 5th.  Please come join us for all of the fun and festivities.  Come join some of the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, local celebrities, News Channel's 5 & 12, Q102 Radio, and loads of dog related activities.  There will be tons of give aways including an all expense paid vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, free dog food for a year, 5 I-Dogs by Ipod, tons of dog toys, and lots lots more. There will be free food and drink for everyone, including the dogs. 

 

If you will be attending the Grand Opening please let me know.  Space for dogs to play in doors will be limited.

 

Contact: Mic Foster at 513-315-8002 or email me at [email protected]

 

Thanks for all the support!

 

Thanks for the email responses everyone.  Keep the reservations coming!