A cut above

WASILLA — Starting a new business can be a daunting process for new owners, their families — just about all involved.

But there are those times when everything falls together.

That’s a sentiment that seems to sum up K-9 Cuts, a new Wasilla dog grooming business started by two high school friends who have moved into some prime real estate off Main Street in Wasilla. K-9 Cuts offers full grooming services as well as all-natural dog treats and other accessories.

Open since Oct. 1, owners Cyndi Polya and Tabitha Pedalino have planned a grand opening Tuesday at the shop, the culmination of an idea-to-opening scenario that has spanned a mere 2 1/2 months.

“We both have business experience and everything just kind of fell into place,” Pedalino said Friday. “It all just lined up. Our families and friends have been great in pitching in where they could.”

Friends since their days at Chugiak High School, each had moved on to other endeavors in recent years. Polya moved Outside, where she worked as a groomer for eight years. Pedalino is the former owner of Sugar High, a gourmet cupcake and custom cake shop.

Polya returned to Wasilla in July, and the pair set out to match their skills in the grooming business.

“We have an easy relationship, we bounce off of each other in a good way,” Pedalino said. “It’s a good fit.”

Even the building, which formerly housed The Eye Guy on Main, is better suited for their business.

“According to the Wasilla planning department, this place was a dog grooming place in the 1980s,” Polya said. “We didn’t have to change anything. All we had to do was bring in the bathing tubs.”

K-9 Cuts offers full grooming, bath and brush as well as add-on services like de-shedding, flea and tick dip and sculpting. They are currently taking walk-ins as the booking schedule allows, and also are open on Saturdays.

“Tabitha does the washing and I handle the grooming,” Polya said. “And she makes all the treats from scratch. She is also working on doing some grooming.”

Both women take a more organic view of their trade, with Polya making her own dog shampoo and Pedalino creating all-natural dog treats.

“There are a lot of detergent-based shampoos out there that can irritate a dog’s skin,” Polya said. “My blend eliminates odors, degreases and it smells good. We don’t have to perfume the dogs, which can sometimes bother the owners.”

Pedalino’s treats include grain-free offerings, breath mints and other types of treats for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

“Many dogs need grain-free diets because it has become the same with dog and people food — there are so many fillers,” Pedalino said. “I try to make treats with organic, all natural ingredients and knock out all the filler stuff.”

The Tuesday grand opening runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., and will feature refreshments, free nail clipping, a ribbon cutting with Wasilla mayor Bert Cottle and opportunities to give a dog a new home through Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue.

“This isn’t just a business — we are dog-friendly people,” Pedalino said. “People care a lot about their pets. We get that.”

To find out more about K-9 Cuts, visit them at 390 N. Main St. in Wasilla, call 414-0659 or find them online at www.facebook.com/k9cutsalaska/

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com