Bark and Bows Grooming LLC coming soon to Rochester

Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:25 AM

By Shelby Lopez

Opening day is pending, but Sarah Hensley hopes to have things up in running in February for a new Bark and Bows Grooming location in Rochester.

Sarah Hensley had always been an animal lover prior to starting her business Bark and Bows Grooming. Growing up on the farm near Akron, Hensley's father was a farmer and her mother showed horses, but the one inspiration who helped shape the career she carries today was her grandmother who held a business grooming Irish Setters.

After Hensley went to vet tech school she realized vet offices were filled with days of working around sick and dying animals, and shifted toward grooming as a better fit for her uplifting personality. Starting the business in her home 10 years ago, Hensley eventually got so many grooming clients that in April 2024 she was able to open Bark and Bows Grooming at 112 N. Main St. in Bourbon. Business has bloomed from there, allowing for four full-time staff helping at the Bourbon shop to provide full service that includes haircuts, bathing, brushing and more.

Over the past few months Hensley began to notice many of her clientele coming to her shop in Bourbon was from Rochester and when she got the call about an opening for a potential shop at 710 Main St. she jumped at the chance. Opening day is pending, but Hensley says she hopes to have things up in running sometime in February.

“Since announcing the new Rochester location we have seen a ton of local support from the community, almost all of the downtown businesses have been very welcoming. It's been great,“ Hensley said.

The Rochester location plans on being fully staffed, with four groomers who will be working daily to make appointments quick and more available to clientele. Walk-ins will be available for things like nail trims and bathing. To make an appointment or get more information about the business you can contact Hensley at 574-377-9247.