BUSINESS NEWS
10 • March 2021
Coast River Business Journal
PORT OF ILWACO
Full Service Marina
Self-Service Boatyard
Dawnya Davis trims the undercoat of a dog on Feb. 14 at The Grooming Garage and Pet Emporium in Ocean Park. The new business off ers
all-inclusive dog grooming, boarding and obedience-training. “We’re going to do everything here,” Davis said.
Waterfront Walkway
Retail Shops
Restaurants
Lodging
Fishing Charters
‘Pet Emporium’ opens in Ocean Park
Story & Photos by Luke Whittaker
www.portofilwaco.com
Coast River Business Journal
lwhittaker@crbizjournal.com
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OCEAN PARK — An all-inclusive dog groom-
ing, boarding and obedience-training facility has
opened in Ocean Park.
A soft opening was held on Feb. 13 for The
Grooming Garage and Pet Emporium, located at
21810 Pacifi c Way.
“We’re going to do everything here,” said owner
Dawnya Davis.
From basement to standalone
store
Davis, 43, who has more than 20 years dedicated
to the pet and livestock fi eld, previously operated
a dog grooming business from her home basement
over the past nine years, building a broad and devout
customer base.
Over time, Davis said she outgrew her home
location and had been searching for a bigger space to
plant her burgeoning business.
“I was working seven days a week to get every-
one done,” said Davis, who juggled grooming more
than 200 dogs on a regular basis.
Three groomers
In the fall, Davis added apprentice Avary Murray,
which will allow the business to add more custom-
ers, Davis said.
“She’s awesome, has a great work ethic and loves
animals,” Davis said. “With Avary being on board
now with bathing, we’ll be able to take on a lot more
dogs.”
The grooming services will also be bolstered by
the addition of former Doggie in the Window owner
Dodie Otoupalik, an Ocean Park groomer who
played an important role in Davis’s career early on.
“She’s the one who taught me how to groom,”
Davis said. “She’s closing her shop and will be work-
ing out of here. We’ll have three groomers on staff.”
Boarding and day care
There will be standard and suite-style board-
ing in kennels or living room style suites monitored
24-hours.
“There’s an apartment on site and someone will
be here 24/7,” Davis said. “The dogs will also have
baby monitors inside their kennel.”
The suites are modeled like a miniature living
room.
The Grooming Garage and
Pet Emporium
Dawnya Davis, owner
21810 Pacifi c Way, Ocean Park
360-244-1670
groominggarage.weebly.com
“They will have a rug, toddler bed, chair, pic-
tures on the wall etc.,” Davis said. “It’s more for our
senior dogs.”
Day care services will also be overseen by Ryan
Ring, with dogs separated into designated groups.
“For the day care we’re going to have interviews.
They have to have a dog interview and show proof of
vaccination, and temperament tested to show they’re
not aggressive. To minimize accidents, they’ll all be
separated by age and need. They will go on a rota-
tion where seniors will get their time out and then
puppies,” Davis said.
Davis is also coordinating with local hotels to
accept dogs who may need temporary accommoda-
tions while visiting the peninsula.