EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — Dog owners in Excelsior Springs now have more options for grooming services as two new pet salons open in town. Joining the well-established K9 Clips Play and Stay, My Best Friend’s Barber, and Dogs N Suds are Pawfecta and Spaw Day, two businesses determined to help meet the high demand for grooming in the community.
Pawfecta, 1200 N Jesse James Rd, owned by Haley Barton, occupies a location with fond memories for many locals, the former GB’s building. Barton, a seasoned grooming professional with management experience, has crafted Pawfecta as a one-on-one grooming service that offers an exclusive, luxury experience for each pet. After years in healthcare, Barton found herself drawn to grooming, a passion she discovered while humorously telling friends, “I’d quit and groom dogs if I could.” Eventually, she made the leap, and the joy she found in the work led her to pursue grooming full-time, eventually becoming a manager before branching out on her own.
Haley Barton gives a tour of her newly remodeled space (via Facebook Reels).
“At Pawfecta, it’s all about personalized care. Every dog has their dedicated appointment slot without the distraction of other animals around, creating a calm, comfortable environment,” Barton explained. The business’s approach allows Barton to focus fully on each dog, offering services from basic baths to specialized grooming. Barton’s commitment to quality shines through in her careful planning for Pawfecta, which she says is designed to serve not only Excelsior Springs but also surrounding areas, taking advantage of the easy access right off Route 69.
Just downtown, Spaw Day, 108 W Broadway Ave, is owned by Excelsior Springs natives Kendall Zeller and Kimberlyn Snelling. The duo both worked at a chain grooming salon in Liberty, Missouri, where they shared a passion for pet care. When they learned that their hometown had a demand for additional grooming services, they seized the chance to bring their skills back to Excelsior Springs. The building they now occupy was offered to them by a family member, which made the decision easier and allowed them to renovate it specifically for grooming.
“Returning to Excelsior Springs felt like the right move for us,” said Zeller. “The community needed more groomers, and we were excited to get back to our hometown.” Spaw Day’s mission is to provide accessible, high-quality care for local pets in a comfortable setting.
Spaw Day has quickly attracted clients, including some who followed Zeller and Snelling from their previous salon. Snelling shared that her lifelong love for animals made this business venture a natural fit, saying she always knew she’d work with dogs somehow.
Spaw Day also prioritizes accessibility, with a flexible approach to scheduling and a focus on building relationships with pet owners. The groomers want each visit to be a pleasant experience for both the pets and their owners, who can look forward to more personalized services as Spaw Day grows.
With these two new additions, Excelsior Springs now boasts five grooming options. The established businesses, which include My Best Friend’s Barber (403 S Thompson Ave), K9 Clips Play and Stay (1903 W Jesse James Rd), and Dogs N Suds (15519 Isom Rd), have long-standing relationships with the community. But, with each of these groomers operating at high capacity, the need for more pet care options in the area was evident and should be welcomed.
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