Local Business Goes to the Dogs

A new business recently opened up shop in a vacant Romeoville storefront.

Barkster Pet Salon opened early last month in the space formerly occupied by at 209 W. Romeo Road.

For owner Jason Pietras, the vacancy was an opportunity for him to bring his business to Illinois after he and his wife, Brandi, relocated from Texas.

“We kind of just landed on the opportunity,” Pietras said, adding the couple operated pet salons and a pet boarding business in the Lone Star state.

A veteran of the U.S. Army and the war in Iraq, Pietras said he has been grooming pets for five years, learning the ropes from his wife, who owns and operates Mobidog mobile pet grooming in the Aurora/Naperville area.

Barkster is a full-service pet salon offering baths, cuts and grooming services, along with fresh baked goods for dogs.

Pietras said he plans to add a retail component to the Romeo Road salon, selling necessities like leashes, collars, rawhides and more. Remodeling is also in the works for the shop, he added.

“We’re going to go through a lot of changes,” he said.

Barkster is staffed by Pietras and longtime pet groomer Kelly Roscoe.

“We’re experienced,” Pietras said. “We’ve dealt with all different breeds, all different temperaments. I’ve seen it all.”

The shop is offering a 10 percent discount to new customers now through the holidays.

Pietras said customers can expect personalized care for each pet.

“Every dog is special to [the owner] and we understand that,” he said. “Every dog is family to us.”