Former PetSmart groomer opens Scarlet’s Pet Grooming in LaPlace
Published 12:20 am Wednesday, July 25, 2018
- Scarlet’s Pet Grooming owner Jodie Cogar examines Isabelle at the new St. John the Baptist Parish business, which opened last week on U.S. 51 in LaPlace.
LAPLACE — Upon learning PetSmart was closing, store groomer Jodie Cogar leaped into action to establish Scarlet’s Pet Grooming, ensuring continued services for the St. John the Baptist Parish residents and pets she’s come to love.
Jodie and her mother, Jamie Cogar, transformed an unoccupied tattoo parlor into a pastel-colored salon complete with two grooming stations in a matter of six weeks.
Scarlet’s Pet Grooming opened this month at 2917 Suite D on U.S. 51 in LaPlace, and Jodie said the new business hasn’t been short on clients.
She’s carried over a loyal client base from PetSmart, where she provided grooming services for three years.
Connie Falgoust, a groomer in training, holds a dog Friday morning at Scarlet’s Pet Grooming.
“A lot of people get their dogs groomed on a four- to six-week schedule, so I see the dogs more often than they see the vet or anybody else,” Jodie said. “I have a close relationship with the dogs and the owners.”
Jodie aspired to become a veterinarian until she realized she was uncomfortable with cutting animals open for surgery and administering shots with long needles.
“I was pre-vet at LSU, and I really didn’t enjoy what I was doing,” Jodie said. “When I first started working in the salon as a bather and watched the groomers work with the dogs, I thought, ‘This is for me.’”
Scarlet’s Pet Grooming is located at 2917 Suite D on U.S. 51 in LaPlace.
Scarlet’s Pet Grooming personalizes Jodie’s passion. Her 18-month-old daughter, Scarlet Madison, inspired the business name and her six beloved dogs are pictured in the logo.
Jodie offers bathing, haircuts, nail trimming and cleaning options for five-pound yorkies, towering goodendoodles and dogs of every breed and size in between.
Full groom, maintenance and bath packages are available, in addition to a variety of add-ons and walk-in services.
Pampered pets can leave grooming appointments with a de-shedding blowout, blueberry foaming facial, nose and pad cream, flea treatments and brushed teeth.
Jodie and groomer-in-training Connie Falgoust comprise the grooming staff. Prices typically range from $35 to $70 depending on the size of the dog.
Jamie said she’s immensely proud of the work her daughter put into starting the business, and she expects it will be successful.
The mother/daughter team of Jodie, left, and Jamie Cogar are leading new business Scarlet’s Pet Grooming. (Brooke Robichaux/L’OBSERVATEUR)
“She put her mind to it, and we accomplished it,” Jamie said.
“She has good relationships with our clients, so I think we’re going to do well. We’re doing it as a family. She works here, I work here and Scarlet will when she’s old enough,” she said, with a laugh.
Client Bridgette Ivey visited Scarlet’s during its opening week and expressed gratitude at having pet care options in LaPlace.
“The groomers were very professional, and we were glad to have a new grooming center in the area since PetSmart closed down,” Ivey said.
As her business develops, Jodie hopes to collaborate with the St. John Parish Animal Shelter to provide grooming services for shelter animals.
She also plans to incorporate a loyalty program for return customers.
To schedule an appointment, call 504-223-6884 or visit Scarlet’s Pet Grooming on Facebook.
