Sniffany’s of York dog grooming store opens in downtown York

When it comes to pampering, Sabrina Thomas believes humans shouldn’t have all the fun.

“It was a dream come true. I wanted something that no one else offers, something high end but affordable, ”said Thomas, owner of Sniffany’s of York. “I get asked all the time: are you taking humans?

Sniffany’s is a pet store specializing in dog grooming. It’s a store where a dog can be treated like a king, from a simple bath and trim to a more luxurious mud bath and pedicure.

The name and motto are a play on Tiffany’s greatness.

“Every woman loves Tiffany’s, and every woman loves to brag about Tiffany’s jewelry,” she said. “Instead of bragging about the loot, you bragging about the wag.”

Thomas spent the first half of his professional career in construction before enrolling in a dog grooming course 17 years ago. She hasn’t looked back since. After successfully completing the 6-week certification program, she spent three years studying under the guidance of her mentor, Charlene, whom Thomas described as a stern compatriot.

“She told me every day that she was going to have me arrested,” she said. Thomas remembers a few times when his mentor made him wash and bathe a dog from start to finish because only one coat had been missed.

“(It was a) tough three years, but looking back, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Thomas worked as a manager and instructor for Petsmart, overseeing grooming operations in a number of locations and training aspiring groomers like her before moving to York two years ago.

“When I first moved here, I noticed that most of the grooming places are big box businesses,” she said. “You see all the dogs on the street, and there there’s no place downtown that offers dog food, treats, or grooming. There isn’t even a vet downtown.

So Thomas decided to fill the void. His first challenge was to find an owner who welcomed pets in downtown York. A lot of people don’t or like to drive, and dogs don’t always like to get in cars, she said. She recalls looking at a number of properties that were not allowed pets or open to the concept of a pet groomer.

She finally found her corner at 290 W. Market St. in the WeCo district.

Her business model is simple: Thomas is the lone groomer (she’s looking to hire an apprentice soon) and she blocks two hours for each appointment. “My dog ​​doesn’t like other dogs, and I understand some are anxious, so I intentionally program one at a time,” she said.

Pet owners can pamper their furry companions with a routine bath and trim or spoil them with a hot tub, mud bath, or spa treatment. Thomas noted that she offers aroma and massage therapies for dogs, and that all of the various soaps, perfumes and products used are chemical and salt free, so they can be consumed without making the dog sick.

Prices vary and are based on the size and breed of the dog. Thomas offers unlimited bath memberships for $ 39.95 per month.

In addition to soaps and foam, Thomas offers an assortment of dog and cat treats and food. Additionally, the store has a selection of luxury leather necklaces and clothing designed by two local vendors.

If you are going to

Sniffany’s of York is located at 290 W. Market St. and is open seven days a week, 6 am to 7 pm. Sniffany’s opened on Monday July 1, 2019.