Story and Photos by Lisa Carolin
Dena Gilmore’s professional passion is growing, literally. Gilmore is moving her Wags to Wiskers store in Chelsea across the street and expanding. She plans to add more products and to make more room for dogs and cats, both pets and animals waiting to be adopted.
Wags to Wiskers is moving to the new building under construction at 1188 South Main St. next to Chelsea Lanes where the car wash used to be. She’s hopeful that the move will take place in October or November. The store is adding 2,600 more square feet for a total of 9,000 square feet at its new location.
“My staff is telling me we have no room for the things I want to bring into the store,” said Gilmore, who co-owns the Chelsea store with Nona Iott. “We want to be able to service the community with more products and to hold fundraisers and have rescues at our new location.”
She says the new store will offer more U.S. made products including more varieties of pet food, toys and treats. There will also be a groomer.
“We’ve been here for 10 years and seen our business grow,” said Gilmore. “The community has been extremely supportive and we’ve been very appreciative of that. Without the community there is no us.”
Her goal at Wags to Wiskers, she says, is to make pets healthier. In addition to selling dog and cat supplies, the store sells supplies for ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish and more.
Gilmore worked as a buyer for the Ford Motor Company for many years then decided to follow her passion. She loves animals and opened her first store in Saline. There are also Wags to Wiskers pet stores located in Ann Arbor and Gaylord.
The Tecumseh resident says, “I love Chelsea. It’s joyful to be here. The store is a meeting place. Just bring your pets and socialize.”
