Local Business Opens in Pandemic, Receives Community Support

Customers roll in to get their pets groomed after half the year was disposed by the rise of the global pandemic; new local business Soapy Paws on Main launches company to lend a helping hand and inspire dreams.

The new pet grooming business housed on Main Street first opened on July 1, out on a whim of owner Tabetha Memmel.

“I opened on a whim [walking] down Main Street [and] realized I needed something else, I needed to work and be happy,” Memmel said. “I saw an open building called and just opened on a wish and a prayer.”

The shop started up with only a few tables and grooming supplies, but has since expanded due to the rise in popularity and customers. Family has been a major support for the local business, but “the community has been [amazing and] warm [and] welcoming,” Memmel said.

With the support of Memmel’s daughter morale has boosted among the business in town even despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“The best part about her starting Soapy Paws on Main was to see her happy with what she was accomplishing,” Sofia said.

Since opening, Soapy Paws has been gaining clients from around the local community including senior Lacy Bertz. The business has been rising in popularity with the convenience of it being downtown for easy access.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Bertz said. “I couldn’t really find many close groomers around Hartford like some were like ten miles away but Soapy Paws seemed to be the closest at least to me.”

As this is the startup of a new business, being an entrepreneur can have its challenges such as financial to “not have a lot to pour into the business,” Memmel said.

A big risk at this time alone is the fear in the current state of the world, but with passion for work and determination to follow one’s dreams they can persevere.

“[I] knew that it was gonna be very risky opening in the middle of a pandemic,” Memmel said. “But I love my career and I know that it will do well.”

With a positive outlook on the future of Soapy Paws, the behind the scenes of the booming business are due to help from family and neighboring businesses downtown.

“We opened up and put the word out there around town, we made a lot of friends with local businesses and they put the word out for us,” Memmel said.