More than six months after she was told that her boutique dog kennel wouldn’t be allowed to stay, owner Peggy Bernar has closed The Spot.
Bernar opened her business in January 2008 at 7324 Madison, putting her on the first floor of a mixed-use condo building at one of the village’s busiest intersections. She had won approval from the council to operate her kennel in an area where animal boarding is prohibited by zoning regulations, but it was the bylaws of the condo association that forced her out. The building is also home to a restaurant, residential units and a jewelry store, and neighbors’ complaints of barking dogs were steady during The Spot’s tenure.
Language within the condo association’s bylaws does not allow for kennels within the building.
The storefront is owned by Heidi Vance and Jayne Ertel, the proprietors behind Team Blonde, also on Madison. Vance confirmed that Bernar closed The Spot on Jan. 11. She said the issues surrounding the business’ departure are “relatively complicated.”
“I would have loved to have her stay, but they wouldn’t let it work out with the rules of the association,” Vance said.
A notice on The Spot’s online homepage tells customers the business will be closed until Jan. 25, but there’s no indication of where pet owners may be able to find the kennel if it reopens. Calls to the business were not returned. Vance said she was unaware of Bernar’s future plans.
Bernar catered to dog lovers with a mix of boarding services and retail. Chic collars and other pet accessories were sold in the store, and pets were treated to aromatherapy and music during overnight stays.
Efforts by the Review to contact ranking members of the condo association were not successful.
In May of last year, Bernar said she was upset to learn of the condo association’s rule prohibiting kennel services. She had just settled her dispute with the town and was told she would still have to move. Business had grown steadily at The Spot, Bernar said then, and she was fearful of losing touch with clients in the tri-village area.
