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Astoria's Jumping Bulldog Groomers To Stay Open, but Downsize

 The Jumping Bulldog has closed its location at 28-10 23rd Ave., pictured here, but will move all services to its smaller site at 26-20 23rd Ave.
The Jumping Bulldog has closed its location at 28-10 23rd Ave., pictured here, but will move all services to its smaller site at 26-20 23rd Ave.
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DNAinfo/Jeanmarie Evelly

ASTORIA — It's too doggone hard to say goodbye.

A popular dog groomers and daycare that shuttered one of its two locations this week after 10 years in the neighborhood will continue to operate in its smaller space, owners announced in a change of plan.

Tania Firrigno, owner of The Jumping Bulldog on 23rd Avenue, said she's decided to continue operating, but only using one storefront to cut down on costs — reversing course on her previous plan to shutter both sites due to lagging foot traffic and the red tape of city regulations.

She says her husband suggested the new plan after seeing how heartbroken she and staff were by the shop's pending closure.

"My husband says, 'Tania, then keep the daycare. Close the store, move the grooming down there," Firrigno explained.

Starting next week, The Jumping Bulldog will reopen in its smaller space at 26-20 23rd Ave., which was previously used just for boarding and doggie daycare. It will now also offer grooming services and sell basic retail items like dog food, treats, leashes and kitty litter.

The company's other site at 28-10 23rd Ave., which housed its grooming and retail boutique, closed permanently on Wednesday.

"We have now drastically reduced our overhead," Firrigno said.

Yecid Malaver, a "master" groomer who has been with The Jumping Bulldog for the last four years, will join her as a business partner at the newly consolidated location, she added. A fully licensed veterinarian will also be joining the staff to offer check-ups and vacciniations.

They're currently renovating the remaining storefront, but expect to open to customers on Monday and start offering daycare services again on Wednesday, according to Firrigno.