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Pet Business Feeling Groovy After Move

Photo by TYLER FRANZ

Yvonne Guibert, co-owner of Groovy Cats & Dogs, helps Debra Johnson with her purchase. Groovy Cats & Dogs recently relocated to a new location, 10213 Lake Carroll Way, Suite B, to increase the visibility of the store.

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By TYLER FRANZ Special to the News & Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 18, 2009

CARROLLWOOD - Where can your favorite feline or canine friend find all-natural foods, toys, and even a pet bakery all in one place? Look no farther than the relocated Groovy Cats & Dogs.

On March 7, Groovy Cats & Dogs moved to a spot on Lake Carroll Way.

The business, which is owned and operated by Yvonne and Al Guibert, specializes in holistic foods for dogs and cats.

Holistic pet foods are all-natural foods without any artificial ingredients. These foods include both basic organic food lines as well as more sophisticated products such as dehydrated raw foods, which are essentially dried natural meats served as a "just-add-water" meal for pets.

Yvonne Guibert, who has a background in health care marketing, decided to start the business with her husband, who had previous experience with sales, in August 2006.

"We tried to find something we both enjoy and could apply both sales and marketing experience to," Yvonne Guibert said.

While looking to start a business in 2005, the couple discovered that the pet industry was one of the most rapidly growing industries. From there, the two decided that in order to maintain success, they needed to take a unique approach to their new business.

"We set out to set ourselves apart from others by relying on a boutique approach, heavy on customer service and knowledge," Yvonne Guibert said.

After the store's initial success, Guiberts recently decided to move the store to the Lake Carroll location in order to make the business more visible to potential customers as well as to increase floor space. The new store not only is larger and will carry a wider variety of products, it also features an in-store bakery that will supply pets with fresh, made-to-order goodies.

Despite the current economic circumstances, Yvonne Guibert remains confident that moving was the right decision.

"We're taking the risk because of the ongoing market for our product," she said. "It's scary, but although it's a crazy time, it's also a good time because now we have more negotiating power for rates and leases."

GET TO KNOW

WHAT: Groovy Cats & Dogs

OWNERS: Yvonne and Al Guibert

ADDRESS: 10213 Lake Carroll Way, Suite B

PHONE: (813) 932-5795

WEB SITE: www.groovy catsndogs.com

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