REXBURG—After three years of grooming dogs in Rexburg, Spaws Grooming has moved into a larger location and expanded the services it can offer local pet owners.
Owner Thomas Mecham said the business began as a professional grooming salon after he and his wife repeatedly struggled to find timely grooming appointments for their own dog.
“Every time we went to book a groom, it seemed like most salons were booked out at least two months, sometimes three months,” Mecham said. “And so, for me, it was just kind of an identification of a need, and there’s a lot of dogs in the area.”
Spaws has since grown from its original downtown Rexburg location into a larger space on the south side of town. Along with professional grooming, the new location offers self-service bathing and is expanding into kenneling and boarding.
The self-service stations give owners access to elevated tubs and the supplies needed to wash their dogs without bringing the mess home. Once customers finish bathing their dogs, Spaws employees handle the cleanup and disinfect the tubs before the next use.
As the business has grown, Mecham said one of its biggest priorities has remained the comfort of the animals in its care. Groomers are willing to stop a grooming session if they believe a dog is becoming too uncomfortable.
“We would rather do that and risk the potential of losing a customer than pushing a dog beyond its comfort zone,” Mecham said. “So, we do emphasize pet comfort, and we do emphasize togetherness as a team culture, and I think that’s what sets us apart.
Mecham said creating a positive environment for his employees has also been one of the most rewarding parts of owning the business.
“I love the idea that I get to create an environment that people want to work at, and that’s what I’m motivated to do,” Mecham said.
Looking ahead, Spaws is focusing on developing its kenneling and boarding services and exploring ways to partner with other local businesses to give boarded dogs additional opportunities for activities outside the facility.
Spaws Grooming is located at 546 S. Yellowstone Hwy. in Rexburg. Pet owners can learn more about its services and book professional grooming appointments through their website at spawsgrooming.com.