Vintage Paws Mobile Grooming now taking clients
After more than a decade in the dog-grooming business, Heather Frech has taken her show on the road with Vintage Paws Mobile Grooming.
The new mobile business started in October and so far, said Frech, business has been good. Some of her clients followed her, and she’s been able to pick up others by word of mouth.
“There were some concerns about opening in the middle of COVID, but people like having this service come right to their driveway,” she said. “The dogs like it too, because they’re more comfortable being groomed at home.”
Frech said she got her start as a dog bather for her aunt at Canine Cabin in Milton. At the time she was a student at Delaware Technical Community College and juggling two other jobs. Immediately, she said, she knew dog grooming was going to be something she wanted to stay with.
“I knew one day I’d have a business of my own,” said Frech. “I just love all of it. The clients are great. The dogs are great. There’s always something good happening.”
Frech said not every dog is easy to groom, but she’s got a variety of techniques to make them feel comfortable.
Grooming is an art, she said. Different breeds have different-textured hair, and some dogs don’t like having certain parts of their bodies groomed.
“It’s my job to find out what’s going to help the most,” said Frech.
Frech said she grooms all breeds of dogs.
“From Chihuahuas to Alaskan malamutes,” she said.
Frech said she bought the converted handicap bus from another groomer in Ocean City, who was looking to upgrade. She said she has goals to upgrade herself in the future, but this vehicle will work while she gets her footing.
“It worked out perfectly,” said Frech.
Frech said the name of the business is a reflection of her personal style.
“I’ve got an old soul,” she said, with a smile. “I love listening to old music when I’m grooming. You shouldn’t be surprised if there’s Aretha Franklin or Led Zeppelin playing in here while I’m working.”
Frech said her hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some availability on Saturdays. She said she services all of Sussex County and part of Kent County.
For more information on Vintage Paws Mobile Grooming or to book an appointment, call 302-381-4418, email vintagepaws27@gmail.com or message her on Facebook under Vintage Paws.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. Additionally, Flood moonlights as the company’s circulation manager, which primarily means fixing boxes that are jammed with coins during daylight hours, but sometimes means delivering papers in the middle of the night. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
