Posted: May 6, 2009

The Feed Bag, a retail pet supply and dog day care, will open in the former Ethan Allen Furniture store on Port Washington Road after receiving a conditional-use permit May 4 from the Mequon Planning Commission.

The Feed Bag also has a similar business in Grafton.

The 13,200-square-foot building will be divided to provide a retail business with pet supplies and accessories, a dog day care and overnight boarding facilities for dogs and cats.

The plan includes a fenced outdoor area at the rear of the building. Eight parking spaces will be removed and grass planted.

Mark Haslam, owner of the business, said dogs will use the outdoor area to relieve themselves. The area will be cleaned twice a day and the dog waste double bagged, a practice identical to one followed in Grafton. A refuse collector will pick up the waste once a week, but Haslam said if odors are present he would have it picked up twice per week.

A small fitness pool will be installed in the building.'

"There are a lot of overweight dogs," Haslam said. "We would use the pool to help them exercise for weight loss and to work with rehabilitation veterinarians who would use the pool for rehab."

Puppies used for hunting also could be introduced to the water using the pool, he said.

The day care would accept a maximum of 20 dogs. There will be 11 minisuites for overnight dog stays and one suite for cats.

Mayor Christine Nuernberg asked about the future of the connection between the day-care building and Stein Gardens and Gifts, which is next door. There is a paved lane between the two buildings, but no easement or formal agreement between the owners establishing it.

Haslam said he would prefer to have the lane closed as it is deteriorating and he plans to do dog training behind the building.

City staff will work with the building owner and Stein to determine the future of the connection. The city will clear up the issue as part of the process that will allow The Feed Bag to open.

 

Mary Buckley can be reached at (262) 446-6615.