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New leader of the pack at The Artistic Hound
Pet supply store changes owners, plans business expansion

Daron Letts
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 19, 2014

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Brix, Hunter and Chase expanded their territory last month when their master, Kelly Kohl, purchased The Artistic Hound pet supply business in Stanton Plaza.

nnsl photo

Kelly Fahl, new owner of The Artistic Hound in Stanton Plaza, introduces her three-year-old Bernese mountain dogs, Brix and Hunter, to the pet supply business on Monday morning. Fahl, who purchased the business from Jessica Anderson last month, also has an eight-year old SPCA special named Chase. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

The two Bernese mountain dogs and SPCA rescue dog - part Nova Scotia ducktoller and part basset hound - visited the store earlier this week, greeting customers and testing the shop's dog treats, all of which are sourced in North America.

"We do not carry any pet food from China," Fahl said.

Former owners Jessica Anderson and Scott Anderson developed the practice of stocking only what they determine to be the safest and most natural pet foods, including raw food, and Fahl said she is sticking to that approach.

"Our store has never had a recall on any product, ever," said Jessica, who is staying on as an employee for a few months to train Fahl and make the transition smooth. "I'm staying on as long as Kelly wants."

The store's part-time employee, Shania Tymchatyn, is also keeping her position.

Fahl plans to work at her store full-time after Air Tindi hires a new senior compensation co-ordinator to handle its payroll.

The Andersons had been preparing to sell the business to another buyer earlier this fall and stopped ordering new stock in preparation for that deal, which cleared out most of the store's stock.

However, the buyer backed out and Fahl quickly stepped in.

All but one row of shelves have been replenished with product. A new order of dog toys and fish supplies is expected to arrive by the end of this week, said Fahl.

"The customers are happy to see there's stock in the store again," she said. "Right now we just want to get the store up and running."

While the staff and stock are not changing any time soon, Fahl is preparing to add new services to the business.

A grooming room with a grooming table and dog bath in the back of the store will be put to use in the new year, if the City of Yellowknife permits it.

A proposal to rezone the lot to permit dog grooming and dog daycare services at the business had its second reading earlier this month.

First reading of bylaw No. 4814 was Oct. 14., with a public hearing held Oct. 27 during which three verbal and written statements were presented by residents. Administration is preparing to advise council on whether the matter should proceed to a second and third reading.

Currently, grooming and dog daycare is permitted only in the city's industrial zone.

This past spring, the Andersons sectioned off a third of the 960-square-metre store in preparation for a doggy daycare service, which stalled while awaiting the bylaw amendment.

Fahl will explore the idea of establishing a doggy daycare service for pets if the city allows it, she said.

Seasonal promotional events and services, such as the baby chick rentals offered each Easter and the annual Christmas photo opportunity with the Grinch will continue.

In fact, the Dr. Seuss character is scheduled to visit the store tomorrow.

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