Combs and Collars preparing for open house
Business profile
Dog groomer Courtney Verbrigghe gives Oliver, a very well-behaved goldendoodle, a haircut at Combs and Collars on Aug. 6. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Indie, being groomed by Samara Sanville, looks at the camera while Oliver gets his hair cut by Courtney Verbrigghe. Coincidentally, the Goldendoodles have two different owners that happen to have the same first name. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Samara Sanville trims Indie's claws while the Goldendoodle looks on patiently. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Oliver is happy to be a good boy as Courtney Verbrigghe trims his coat. One of the Verbrigghes' Shetland Sheepdogs, Endo, looks up from the background.
The business sign for Combs and Collars stands at 5341 18th Rod. in Wells Township. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Samara Sanville, apprentice groomer, trims fur on Indie's leg and paw. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Agate, the Verbrigghes' Shetland Sheepdog, lies in a dog bed at Combs and Collars. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Dog groomer Courtney Verbrigghe gives Oliver, a very well-behaved goldendoodle, a haircut at Combs and Collars on Aug. 6. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Indie, being groomed by Samara Sanville, looks at the camera while Oliver gets his hair cut by Courtney Verbrigghe. Coincidentally, the Goldendoodles have two different owners that happen to have the same first name. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Samara Sanville trims Indie's claws while the Goldendoodle looks on patiently. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Oliver is happy to be a good boy as Courtney Verbrigghe trims his coat. One of the Verbrigghes' Shetland Sheepdogs, Endo, looks up from the background.
The business sign for Combs and Collars stands at 5341 18th Rod. in Wells Township. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Samara Sanville, apprentice groomer, trims fur on Indie's leg and paw. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Agate, the Verbrigghes' Shetland Sheepdog, lies in a dog bed at Combs and Collars. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
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WELLS — Combs and Collars is scaling up.
Not only did the building that houses the dog groooming business just get an addition, but founder and owner Courtney Verbrigghe recently brought on an apprentice who is now taking clients.
Courtney, a 2016 graduate of Gladstone High School, knew for a while that she wanted to work with animals in some capacity. She had done doggy day care and thought she might become a vet, but after picking up the comb she wanted to keep going as a groomer.
Before starting her own business, she worked briefly at D&D Dog Dynamics and then at Pampered Pets. At the latter, she trained under Samantha McLeod — who know operates Rustic Paw in Spalding — and Michele Johnston.
In 2020, Courtney and her now-husband, Zack Verbrigghe, were looking for a home.
“When we were house hunting, we knew we were gonna do a dog grooming shop,” Courtney said, “so we kind of made sure that we found a place that we could build a shop at.”
The couple found a property on 18th Road in Wells Township, near Soo Hill. They moved in early 2021 and began building the shop the same year.
Courtney is the owner and operator of the business, but it was Zack who came up with the name “Combs and Collars,” she said.
Courtney opened up shop out of their garage at first; the new small building next to the house was opened as the business premises in October of 2021.
When a person brings their dog in — Combs and Collars only handles dogd, not cats or other animals — Courtney said all are offered the same treatment.
“We like to do full-service packages, not a la carte,” Courtney explained. “I just feel like if you only get like one or two things done, you’re not really getting … a clean dog.”
She continued: “We’ll do bath with premium shampoo, leave-in conditioner, brush out, de-shed, nail trim, ear cleaning — and then if they want a full haircut, that’s a small additional fee. But otherwise, it’s pretty much all-inclusive.”
Prices vary based on the size of the dog. Courtney said she provides price quotes up front if people are looking.
Business has grown over the last five years and reached capacity, so it was time to expand.
Most clients at Combs and Collars are returning regulars, many of whom schedule months in advance because the schedule gets so full. Courtney reported that she has just over 300 returning clients.
Though she’s busy all-year round, Courtney said that Christmastime is the busiest by far. Families want their pets clean and pretty for the holiday, it would seem.
Combs and Collars also provides Christmas ornaments to customers that time of year — always handmade, and a different style each year.
Seeing as her business was thriving and plenty of demand remained, Courtney knew it was time to expand.
The small building Combs and Collars had been operating out of got a bit of a remodel this year. Zach and his father, Dan Verbrigghe, built the addition themselves. The expansion created a new lobby in the front; the former lobby area was merged in to make a larger grooming room. Behind, there are a handful of kennels for waiting dogs, and a small fenced-in outdoor area. Courtney said each dog is usually at Combs and Collars for about three hours.
Samara Sanville is the new, second groomer at Combs and Collars. She started apprenticing with Courtney in January.
“I love it,” Sanville said. “(The apprenticeship) is gong great. I’m really enjoying it.”
Courtney explained that at first, Sanville learned the basics — bathing, blowing out, de-shedding, brushing — and has recently started doing haircuts. Courtney watches over her work as the younger woman improves her skills.
While appointments are booked pretty far out, Sanville is accepting new clients.
Both groomers reported that they’ve found a career they love.
Courtney has been able to upgrade her equipment somewhat since starting.
“We just got a new bathing system for bigger dogs,” she said. The recirculating shower system gets bigger dogs cleaner and allows shampoo to soak in more, she said.
“We’re really excited about that, because I’ve been wanting to invest in one for a long time,” Courtney remarked.
The addition to the building was only just completed less than two weeks ago, and Combs and Collars is pleased to be welcoming dogs and owners back. In the interim, they rented Pampered Pets from Johnston and operated there for the month of July.
On Aug. 29, Combs and Collars will host an open house for the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be so that people can meet both groomers, win door prizes, tour the salon and have the opportunity to receive discounts. Free burgers and hot dogs will be available, Courtney said.
Combs and Collars, located at 5341 18th Rd., operates on weekdays only, usually from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., though with some flexibility. To get in touch or learn more, interested parties may find “Combs & Collars” on Facebook, email combsandcollarsgrooming@gmail.com or call 906-241-6306.