LOGAN SQUARE — Local groomer Logan Pets abruptly closed its doors in Logan Square Tuesday, citing “a hostile environment” and "severe conflicts" with the shop's landlord, but the building's owner says the story is more complicated — and that a lawsuit is pending.
The closure of the shop at 2659 N. Milwaukee Ave. was paired with the complete shutdown of Logan Pets’ online presence as well. The shop's website, Twitter and Facebook were all deleted by Tuesday, and its phone line was disconnected.
“We regret to inform you that Logan Pets Grooming INC has closed its doors … after severe conflicts with the Landlord our relationship became irreparable forcing us to get out of the facility,” store owners said in a Tuesday email. “We will not conduct our business in such a hostile environment.”
But building owner Elias Sanchez said the shop's closure was due to a backlog of $250,000 in rent and expenditures owed to him.
"These people, from the first day, never paid the rent," Sanchez, 75, said, noting that he upgraded the shop's doors, provided groceries, changed the building's zoning and even bought dog cages for Logan Pets, at a cost of around $80,000.
"I've been a serious business man in Logan Square since 1972 — people know what kind of person I am. I work 24/7," he added. "I don’t believe people like this. When you have a business you need to stay on the business everyday, seven days a week."
While the shop enjoyed rave reviews on sites like Yelp and through word of mouth, many noted a decline in service in recent months at the 2,000-square-foot facility.
“We are completely devastated by this situation and we hate to see our dreams crumbling down like this,” the closure email from Logan Pets read. “We hope soon we will be re-locating, in the neighborhood, perhaps in the same block. We will keep you updated. Meantime[sic] we really want to appreciate your loyalty, your business and your continuous support to us and what we do. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Owners of Logan Pets couldn’t be reached Tuesday, but word of the closure quickly spread online.
“I just received this email today about Logan Pets going out of business. I am so upset and disappointed,” read one online post. “The owners are wonderful people, and this was a rare location where my 13-year-old dog loved to be groomed.”
“Just received one of the saddest email messages. Logan Pets is closing,” read another post mere minutes after the closure email was sent. “We cannot let this happen! They're wonderful business owners and such an asset to the community. #SaveLoganPets.”
The future of Logan Pets remains uncertain, but, according to Sanchez, one potential location in Logan Square has already called him for a reference on Logan Pets.
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