Life is a winding road sometimes. Mine has had some great straight stretches- where the road reaches far into the distance with nothing but straight lines and clear sailing. But inevitably, there is always a curve ahead. A certain property located at 214 Frogtown Road in an upscale hamlet called Union, Kentucky has popped up along my life's road several times. Like a person in a dream sequence, who isn't sure if they are moving forward or backward, the same property and opportunity seems to keep showing up on my journey.
The property was originally known as Joyland Kennels. It was developed in the 1970's and was Northern Kentucky's first commercial boarding kennel establishment. Throughout the years, Joyland Kennels became a fixture in the local culture- everyone took their dogs to Joyland at one time or another. The original owners aged and eventually sold the facility and both its fixtures and reputation fell into disrepair. In 2001, the business and property were offered at public auction and with about 7 days planning, my husband and I along with a fearless pair of investors purchased the property. We tackled the renovations with a vengeance and reopened several months later new and improved as Camp Canine. For 6 wonderful years, Camp Canine served our family and customers well.
In 2006, Wayne and I sold Camp Canine- having watched this labor of love (did I mention LABOR?) grow into a beautiful adolescent business full of promise and prosperity. The new owners of the business immediately set out to make changes and unfortunately, undermined some of the concepts and foundations that Camp Canine had been built upon. Soon, it was faltering again. (Side note: Ownership and Management of a large commercial Pet Boarding, Daycare, and Grooming business is not for the faint of heart!). During the next few years, the new owners continued to make changes including renaming the business Union Pet Resort. To no avail, they simply could not find their way back to the formulas which the success of Camp Canine and Joyland Kennels were based on. Forced into bankruptcy, the doors closed on this cornerstone of the community in November 2009.
I loosely followed the happenings surrounding the property over the next 6-8 months. I noticed as the unloved property began to look abandoned. I noticed that no cars seemed to come and go after the sale at the Courthouse Door. It seemed that the legacy would be lost permanently this time. And then, a friend mentioned that they had seen an auction posting for the property in September. Two days before the auction, I could not resist the urge to drive into the entry and found the doors unlocked and no one around. I was able to walk through and assess the changes which had been made, the damage which had occurred, and my mind's eye could not help but still see the opportunity and promise it offered.
One day before the auction, I began to make phone calls to a few select friends. "Did you ever want to own a dog kennel?" I knew I would need reinforcements financially to pull this off. The partnership was formed and we went to the auction on a sunny Sunday afternoon with hopes in hand. And, after some tense bidding competition, we were awarded the winning bid. So, the journey was renewed. Just 9 years after purchasing 214 Frogtown Road at public auction in a partnership- I found myself crossing this same stretch of road once more.
Now, that's where we stand today. I've traveled this stretch before. Different passengers in my car this time, but I know the twists and turns of this road . And, I suppose- here we go again! The birth of Petropolis...home of The Pet Hotel, The Spa, The Training Center, and The Playplace.
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