About Us – Mid Town Grooming LLC

Groomer working with a dog at Mid Town Grooming

2016 Established

Our Beginning

How Mid Town Grooming Came to Be

Mid Town Grooming started the way most small businesses do — out of need, not strategy. Our owner, a lifelong dog owner and trained groomer, spent years working in larger facilities before deciding Marion deserved a grooming studio that treated every appointment like it mattered.

Opening on North Main Street gave us the right spot — central enough for drop-offs during the workday, small enough to keep things personal. We've never had a drive-through or an assembly line. We've always had time to talk with you about your pet before we pick up a comb.

Over the years, we've grown steadily — added staff, updated our tools, and built real relationships with families across Waupaca County. What hasn't changed is the reason we're here: to give pets a clean, comfortable experience and give owners honest service they can count on.

What Drives Us

Our Mission and Values

We keep things straightforward. Good grooming, honest communication, and care for every animal that walks through our door.

Animal-First Approach

Every decision we make — from the products we use to the pace of each appointment — centers on what's best for the pet. If a dog is anxious, we slow down. If a senior cat needs a gentler touch, we adjust without question.

Honest Communication

We tell you what we notice. If we spot a skin irritation, a lump, or a mat that's become a health concern, we say so — not to alarm you, but because you deserve to know. That kind of transparency is part of the service.

Safety Without Shortcuts

We don't rush appointments to fit in one more dog. Grooming equipment is cleaned between every pet. We require vaccinations not to be difficult, but because shared spaces carry real risks and we take that responsibility seriously.

Community Roots

Marion is a small town. We know our clients by name, and often by their pets' names before theirs. Being part of this community means showing up — at local events, at the shelter donation box, and in the relationships we build over years.

Continued Learning

Grooming techniques evolve. Products improve. Breed standards shift. We invest time in staying current — reading, attending workshops, and learning from each other — so your pet benefits from the most informed care we can offer.

Responsible Practices

We choose products with attention to what's in them. We avoid harsh chemicals when gentler alternatives work just as well. We dispose of waste responsibly and try to run a clean, low-waste studio that reflects our respect for animals and the environment.

Our Journey

How We've Grown

2016

Doors Open on North Main

Mid Town Grooming opens its first studio at 125 N Main St. One groomer, a small booking calendar, and a clear goal: quality over quantity. Word of mouth brings in the first wave of regulars from Marion and nearby Clintonville.

2017

First Expanded Service Menu

Growing demand leads to the addition of de-shedding treatments, ear cleaning, and specialty breed styling. A second grooming table and a dedicated drying station are added to the studio layout.

2018

Senior and Cat Services Added

Recognizing a gap in local options, we introduce a dedicated senior pet grooming protocol and begin accepting cats. Separate quiet hours are designated for anxious or elderly animals needing a calmer environment.

2019

First Hire Joins the Team

A second trained groomer joins Mid Town, allowing more appointment slots without compromising the one-on-one attention that clients had come to expect. Extended hours on Thursdays are introduced.

2021

Puppy Introduction Program Launches

A structured puppy-first grooming program is developed to help young dogs build positive associations with handling, tools, and the grooming environment — reducing stress for their entire life ahead.

2023

Facility Refresh & Equipment Upgrade

A studio renovation improves ventilation, lighting, and workflow. New low-noise dryers and a hydraulic grooming table for large breeds are added. The reception area gets a redesign to feel more welcoming for both clients and their pets.

Today

Still Rooted in Marion

We serve hundreds of pets from across Waupaca County every year. The names on our schedule have kids now. Some of the dogs we groomed as puppies are seniors themselves. We're proud to have been part of that journey.

How We Work

Safety Standards We Hold Ourselves To

Grooming a pet involves handling animals in a state of mild vulnerability — away from their owner, in an unfamiliar setting, with tools that can look and sound alarming. We take that responsibility seriously.

Every groomer on our team is trained in pet handling and first aid. Equipment is sanitized between appointments. We maintain vaccination requirements, not as bureaucracy, but as genuine protection for every animal in our care.

We don't use sedatives or cage dryers unattended. We don't leave a pet restrained and unmonitored. These aren't rules written on a wall — they're habits built from years of caring for animals we'd want someone to care for the same way.

Vaccination records required for all pets

Equipment sanitized between every appointment

No unattended cage drying

First aid trained staff on-site at all times

Separate areas for anxious or reactive animals

Vet-recommended products when available

Intake consultation before every first appointment

Immediate owner notification of any health observations

Low-noise dryer options for sound-sensitive pets

Senior and puppy handling protocols in place

Our Philosophy

Grooming as Part of Pet Wellness

We've never thought of grooming as purely cosmetic. A clean, well-maintained coat contributes to skin health. Regular nail trims prevent posture problems. Ear cleaning reduces the risk of infection. The pets who visit us regularly tend to be more comfortable with handling in general — at the vet, at home, anywhere.

That's not a sales point. It's just what we've observed over years of working closely with dogs and cats of every breed and temperament. Grooming done thoughtfully, at appropriate intervals, is a genuine contribution to an animal's quality of life.

We share this perspective with our clients because we think it changes how you approach your pet's care — not as a chore or an obligation, but as part of keeping them healthy and comfortable for as long as possible.

Local Involvement

Giving Back to Marion

Marion is a community we genuinely belong to. We live here, shop here, and raise our families here. Supporting the local animal welfare organizations that operate in and around Waupaca County is something we've done since early on.

We participate in seasonal donation drives for local shelters — collecting supplies, food, and grooming products that help dogs and cats in the care system stay comfortable while they wait for homes. We've also provided discounted grooming to animals being prepared for adoption events.

We don't publicize every act of giving, because that's not why we do it. But when clients ask about our connection to the community, this is part of the honest answer.

Our Story