The Fox Hollow Pet Boutique to Hold Grand Opening on Saturday

owner Larysa Struk, left, with Tasha from Danas by Tasha

Pet Boutique in Warkworth for the Discerning Pet Lover

New Business features Pet Food, Toys, Treats and more

Article by Sue Dickens/Images submitted

Warkworth – Fri., June 10, 2022 - Come. Sit. Stay.

Those words couldn’t more accurately reflect The Fox Hollow Pet Boutique, whose owner Larysa Struk, has already held a soft opening but is excited as she and her husband Jonathan, look forward to the official ribbon cutting and grand opening on Sat., June 11, 2022.

“We carry pet food, unique accessories, toys, and treats for the most discerning pet lover, she stated on her business website. This pet store has products from many quality Canadian brands that you may or not have heard of in some cases because they aren’t in the bigger retail stores, but definitely need checking out. From Adored Beast Apothecary, North Hound Life, Furbabies, to Oven-Baked Tradition, to Big Country Raw, to name a few,” she told Trent Hills Now.

“We are committed to supporting local artists and Canadian-made products produced to the highest standards with wellness and nutrition at the forefront,” says Struk.

She and her husband moved to Warkworth almost five years ago.

“I had been a project manager for a software company in Toronto for 15 years and in the midst of doing all of that, I started a dog rescue and had always had the ambition to work with animals. I just didn’t know then how to make it part of my day job,” she told Trent Hills Now.

“At some point I decided I really needed to get out of the corporate environment. I had always wanted to be a vet, but life took me in a different direction. So I ended up trying to find other ways to contribute to animal welfare and rescue in any capacity that I could, I would volunteer for wildlife and for animal rescue shelters,” she explained.

“I was extremely lucky to get the opportunity to manage a large, wonderful facility in Toronto, called Park9 and I became a general manager there. It’s a daycare and boarding facility for dogs and cats,” she added.

As a result she was able to spend the next three years getting to know the pet industry…”and at that point is when we moved to Warkworth.”

Struk took her time waiting for the right space for her pet shop and during that time she created her logo, using inspiration from her three rescue dogs and an old plaque found on their property “Fox Hollow”. Having always loved foxes especially, the name seemed like the perfect fit for Struk.

“I think it was a lot of serendipity and synergy and I’m friends with some great people like Melissa Condotta who own Sunday’s Company,” whose recent relocation to 18 Main Street meant Struk had a space for her business as well.

“It kind of just worked out for both of us very, very well. It’s almost like it was meant to be so she moved into her new space, as she needed a much larger space to grow her business and I was looking for something on the street,” Struk explained.

Her pet shop, she notes, “is to really celebrate pets.” Struk has an area dedicated to health and wellness of pets, including natural supplements.

From the window bench where customers can sit to a bookshelf where she sells sells books on dog care, language and behaviour as well as reference books for browsing, Struk wants the space to feel welcoming and comfortable.

Her shop also features photography by local artist Laura Berman, who by the way, has many images of farm animals to her credit.

“Laura’s got 10 of her beautiful photos framed and mounted on the wall when you first walk in, and then right beside it I have a space I call “The Barkery”…here I’ve got gourmet cookies like Pride heart cookies, and other fun cookies that look like burger sliders. We even sell frozen yogurt for the pups,” Struk said.

“It’s a bit of a fun little boutique for people to come in with their pets and shop for either their own pet or someone in their life that has pets.”

Her store carries kibble, dehydrated and raw dog food.

“I have litter, I have treats. I have toys and I have really unique bandanas, bow ties, collars and leashes that are made by local makers. Actually one of my biggest makers is in Coburg. The other one is in the Lindsay/Peterborough area,” she said.

The bandanas are made by Danas by Tasha Cook located in Cobourg.

Preparing for the official ribbon cutting ceremony, Struk says the support of the community has been overwhelming.

“The community here has been absolutely incredible. I feel like there’s a lot of support for the idea. I have people coming in and welcoming me, people being really excited about the store being here,” Struk said.

As the interview wrapped up Struk noted, “It seems like just about every person I see has a dog you know …and I also have lots of stuff for the kitties too here in the shop. So yeah, it just feels great. I’m really excited. The soft opening was wonderful. At one point I just looked down the store from the back where I was speaking with a customer and I just saw all of these furry paws everywhere and I just thought I’m living my best life right now because it’s just really what I love, just being surrounded by animals and the people that love them.”

Struk has a lot of special events planned for the grand opening including a mobile groomer Michelle Kenny of Fine-Toothed Comb Grooming and RVT Services, who will be set up to trim pet’s nails, dogs and cats. Tasha Cook will be taking photos of people’s pets too.

“I’m working with Emilio Ojeda…. We’re working to have a Drag Queen or two here to take photos with pets to celebrate Pride month,” she said with excitement. As well she will have cupcakes, by Honey-Hearted Goods’ Lisa Giradli who’s going to be donating those to the event… And so combined, all of that day, any and all proceeds from the nail trims, photos and baked goods will be split between Trent Hills Pride and KLAWS: Networking For Lost, Found and Rehoming of Companion Animals.”

The grand opening is at 9 a.m.

Her shop is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 .m.

For more information about Struk’s business go to: Home (thefoxhollowpetboutique.ca)