After five years in the community, a local pet sitter is closing her doggy-doors.
Earlier this week, owner of Winchester Kennels Taunya Van Allen announced that she’s deciding to close her business and sell her property, following several months of uncertainty due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Van Allen says there are a number of contributing factors to her closing her doors – with the biggest being people’s inability to travel.
“That caused a big change in revenue for us by about 50 per cent,” Van Allen said. “Secondly, the lack of government programs micro-businesses qualify for also played a role. Owning the property where the kennels are also made me ineligible for any rent-relief programs.”
It’s been one thing after another for Van Allen, who had her business broken into back in January, resulting in various valuables being stolen.
Pet grooming businesses were given the green light to reopen back in February, however, the rise in COVID-cases, along with other circumstances, led Van Allen to shut down later that month.
“It really takes its toll,” Van Allen said. “Like everyday you wake up, and the rules are different. The business line would ring, and you’d wonder before even answering are they calling to book, or more likely calling to cancel. That’s exhausting.”
Van Allen is hopeful someone will take up the mantle of the 150-year-old property and turn it into something profitable.
She says while she’s been proud to call Winchester home for the past five years, she’s returning to Stratford to be closer to family and friends.
“Winchester and North Dundas have been absolutely incredible as far as welcoming me and my business,” Van Allen said. “That really surprised me, because I am not from here, I am a transplant, and it really does feel like home.”