La Jolla Grooming Company in the Village has branched out into providing doggie daycare as well as selling a special brand of canine food.

The all-purpose dog and cat grooming business at 7709 Fay Ave., just added Doggie Beach Lounge and Maxota Raw Dog food to its repertoire a couple of doors down at 7701 Fay Ave. The pet complex is located across the street from the popular The Cottage La Jolla restaurant.

And there are more than enough canines in the neighborhood to justify the expansion. “We’re the only doggie daycare in this area here,” noted Tasha Bishop along with Garrett Larson, who operate all three businesses now under one roof. She added, “Here it’s a big playpen for small dogs. And dogs like to have best friends. It’s a great opportunity for dogs to socialize and play in a safe area.”

“I started with the grooming company and it got so busy, so quick, with so many dogs,” said Larson about what ultimately prompted the business expansion into the 7701 Fay Ave. space, previously an eyeglass company and then a dog food business. He added combining the two was just “the smartest idea because now we’ve got more space for the dogs and people.”

Larson’s proud to be marketing Maxota because, as he noted, “it’s really good food that changed my dog’s lives.” He added the brand improved his dog’s digestive issues and cleared up their skin problems in a couple of days.

Maxota’s dog food is handmade and specially crafted to be healthier for pets.

“It’s all-natural and real, and they have the perfect portions for it,” agreed Bishop of Maxota’s high quality. “It’s been certified as healthy and is very cost-effective and worth it.”

Of their new business concept Bishop said: It’s like a human going to the mall. They get their nails and hair done. The dog gets pampered; it’s a very all-inclusive service.”

“We’re very family-oriented,” pointed out Larson. “We’re close to all our clients too. People come by with their dogs and hang out.”

Of their doggie daycare component, Larson noted it’s all about convenience for the pet owner. “They can drop off their dog at 9 a.m. and have the option of giving their dog a bath and a haircut,” he said. “Then, they can come over here for doggie daycare until their owners pick them up at the end of the day.”

“We have different (daycare) packages for all ages of dogs,” noted Bishop adding they also furnish private spaces for dogs who are older or need to be by themselves. Larson and Bishop introduce dogs slowly to one another at first ensuring there are no problems with sociability. “And we have plenty of fresh (squeaky) toys so all of them have their own,” added Bishop.

“And they (dogs) are always supervised,” noted Larson.

Doggie Beach Lounge also treats its four-legged guests to Dog TV, a cable network with programming geared to amuse canines. And the atmosphere in the daycare space is very conducive to interaction. “What’s so great about this space is the dogs do love playing,” noted Bishop. “They need to socialize. They like making other dog friends.”

La Jolla Grooming Company

Doggie Beach Lounge & Maxota Raw Dog Food

Where: 7709 Fay Ave.

Contact: www.ljgrooming.com, 858-336-3946.