D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
April
2009
Going to the Dogs — and Cats!
Mis Amigos Pet Care Center provides a home away from home for furry best friends. Plus: Replacing Golden Corral at last, Tour of the Gila's wheels get greased, Single Socks to aid the hungry, Savers coming, White Elephant moving and more.
Gail Skee holds "Chiquita," a slightly chubby black Chihuahua, near the bars of a large kennel wherein crouches a sleek, dark, rather sizable cat. Skee looks into the dog's face with an animated, happy expression, cocks her head quizzically and asks the canine, "See your kitty?" The dog gives an excited snort.
 |
Gail Skee, owner of Mis Amigos, with
one of her canine pals. (Photo by Donna Clayton) |
Skee then croons to the feline in a soothing, sing-song fashion, "I have your doggie. Do you see your friend?" she asks the cat.
The cat immediately loses its wary body language and strides to the front of the enclosure, then rubs the sides of its face on the bars. Skee sticks a finger through the bars of the "cat condo." The cat sniffs the finger, then offers the top of its head to rub.
"We couldn't have done this," Skee says of petting the feline, "before we discovered the magical connection between these two. It was a happy accident."
Skee is the founder, owner and operator of Mis Amigos Pet Care Center in Arenas Valley, a business that just celebrated its fourth anniversary last month. The center offers a wide range of Gail Skee, owner of Mis Amigos, with one of her canine pals. (Photo by Donna Clayton)pet services — doggie daycare, pet boarding, grooming.
The center also is a purveyor of treats, toys and pet necessities. Whether you need a solution to a training problem, some snappy canine attire, or something sturdy but chewable, Mis Amigos stocks it. Premier Pet Products, Timberwolf, Kong, Animal Planet, West Paws, Animal Wrappers, Wubba and Mes Amis are just a few of the brands on display in the retail room.
For Skee, it's all about the animals. She personally has five dogs, four horses and two cats at home. She opened Mis Amigos not only because she loves being around animals all day, but to provide pet owners with special options for their animal companions.
Coming into Silver City for some shopping? Don't leave Fido at home to tear up the house or yard. Instead, pack up your four-footed friend and drop him off at the center's Doggie Daycare.
"We have a number of folks from the Mimbres who do that," Skee says.
Going on a vacation? Mis Amigos offers an experience above and beyond the usual "kennel" option, Skee says, with large, spacious runs for dogs, socializing opportunities through playtime in the toy-equipped yard, and kitty condos with a "bird-watching window" and a huge aquarium of fish to gaze upon.
The motto at Mis Amigos is that they treat your pet like they would their own. The center's standard boarding fees include two daily sessions of outdoor romping for dogs, in a 30,000-square-foot exercise yard, surrounded by a double security fence, sand boxes for digging, shade structures and — most important — someone to play with. Does your Fido seem to have more energy than most? You can purchase additional playtime, and "extras" like individual playtime with a stuffed Kong toy or Frisbee, a vigorous play session with a toy from home, vigorous one-on-one cuddles and Nature Walks. Clients whose dogs like the company of other dogs may purchase time in the daycare yard. A resident caretaker lives on the property to ensure all animals' safety.
"Our staff are chosen for their love of animals," Skee says. "It can be stressful for animals to be without their owners, so to have someone visit them and play with them while they're here is really helpful to the animals." Then she adds with a bright smile, "And it's fun for us, too!"
She hands off the chubby Chihuahua to a staff member — there are five employees, in addition to Skee — and continues on to the doggie boarding area.
There are two styles of accommodations for dogs here: traditional boarding and luxury suites. Both provide a comfort-controlled environment. Skee walks down the long hallway between the standard runs, calling out a dog's name here and there, tossing a rawhide treat to one huge canine barking in his enclosure. Dogs can move at will from their enclosures, through their very own doggie doors, to the outside where they are at leisure to lie in the sun or shade.
Standard runs are furnished with Kuranda beds, simple vinyl hammock-like structures that Skee notes are comfortable and easily cleaned. Owners are welcome to bring a clean blanket from home so their pet has something familiar during its stay.
Fido used to sleeping on the bed at home? Luxury suites have cute themes and are furnished with human-type beds. Choose the brightly colored "Bee Happy" room or the cozy, sophisticated "Elegant" room. The "Jungle" room has earth-toned decor, complete with a fern and wood motif. The playful "Cowdog" room is casual and fun, with a plaid rug, denim upholstered bed and Wild West decorative border. Luxury suites come with satellite TV, special bedding, and extra space and attention from staff.
Mis Amigos also provides additional services, including training classes and grooming. It sells high-quality pet foods, plus unique gifts and equipment.
There are special events periodically, including rattlesnake aversion training and microchip implant opportunities. If your dog is an athlete, it may enjoy the agility yard.
Mis Amigos wants human-pet relationships to start out right, Skee says, and so offers periodic Puppy Classes. The seven-week sessions run $75, arranged according to need and interest. The center also gives free housetraining counseling over the phone or in person.
Private lessons are available — state your goals and work with Skee, a certified "force-free" trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior — for $30 a session.
Mis Amigos is a member of the Pet Care Service Association, and each staff member is expected to pass PCSA's Certified Pet Care Technician program.
Back in her office, showing off her variety of framed photos of her own dogs, Skee reflects on the joy animals bring to our lives. She's excited about a new program Mis Amigos will hold this summer — a summer camp for kids with their dogs.
"It's an experiment, the first time we're doing this, but I think it's going to be fun," she says. "There'll be games they can play with their dogs, teaching them tricks, that sort of thing. The kids have to have basic control of their animal and have to know some basic obedience, but basically, it'll be five days of intense dog-kid time."
She smiles broadly, then adds, "I can't wait!"
Mis Amigos Pet Care Center, 11745 Hwy. 180 E., Silver City. Open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 388-4101, misamigos@signalpeak.net, www.misamigospetcare.com
Big Wine Round-up
So that's what's going in where the Golden Corral on Hwy. 180 used to be! Silver City Beverage Company, a new liquor and food outlet, is set to open around Easter weekend, according to workmen installing the new wood floors. The company will offer a broad range of fine wines — a mix of premium and bargains — a hot and cold foods bar and other to-go delectables.
Silver City's annual Tour of the Gila cycling event, financially threatened
in recent months, has announced SRAM Corp. as its new title sponsor.
SRAM is a 21-year-old Chicago-based bicycle component manufacturer with facilities
worldwide. Regarded as one of the tougher stage races in North America, the
Tour annually attracts up to 550 participants from all over North America and
the world. This year's race event runs April 29-May 3. For more information,
contact Lanny Olson, Tour of the Gila sponsorship director, 590-1076. www.tourofthegila.com, www.sram.com
Francisco Limon has opened EZY Pawn in Suite 2 of the big building on Hwy. 180 that used to house Caballero's restaurant. Robert Parra still is operating his Robert's Real Estate at the site, and confirms that he and Limon are still setting up systems for the pawn business — like gold scales and diamond authenticators — and looking for more goods to sell. An interesting hodge-podge of items already is collecting on the selling-room floor: a motorcycle, a water heater, home furnishings, gadgets and doodads. Parra says he hopes the business will be up and running this month. 538-4335.
Kathleen Wigley and Jeff Goin have teamed to open Single Socks, a non-profit thrift store at 111 W. College St. in Silver City. The building, which used to house L&M Flooring, was owned for a while by Rocky Mondello, owner of Morning Star, who at one time planned to open a restaurant in the space. Single Socks has a volunteer board of directors, and proceeds will go to funding anti-hunger projects in Grant County. "We are looking to be a community-owned, community-run entity," says Goin. The group is looking for donated goods from the local community, which can be dropped off at The Hub Plaza on Bullard Street, Saturdays between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The business plans a grand opening for its storefront operation on College Street April 25. People looking for more information or who want to play a role in supporting the organization can call 388-2488.
You dirty dawg, you! Better call Julez Mobile Grooming, the new mobile animal grooming business owned by Julie Door. Call Door — she'll come to your door and clean up Fido's act! Silver City, 313-4386.
And give that dawg a bone! Linda Flippo has opened Knick Knack Paddywhack (get it?), an eBay sales business. Silver City, 388-3700.
Michael Cox has opened Go Greener Handyman Services, based in Silver City, offering a variety of environmentally friendly products and services, including Lo- and VOC-free painting, solar outdoor lighting, rainwater harvesting systems, green landscaping, green light bulb change-out, green kitchen and bath design, green chef private parties, wooden window restoration and more. 654-0835.
Dave Murphy, owner of Music Express of Silver City and Safford, Ariz., is now offering WiPower wireless Internet service, selling through both of his Music Express locations. Speeds of 256Kpbs to 1.5Mbps are available for $35.95-$79.95, Murphy says, and towers going up now are spreading the service's reach around the Silver City community. Additionally, Murphy says, VOIP will be offered this month. Murphy adds that he's been selling the Internet service in Safford for 10 years. "This isn't a new rodeo for us. We've got beaucoup satisfied customers in Safford, and the service is well established," Murphy says. "I'm excited to be bringing it to Silver City now." 388-9405.
Got bugs? In your computer set-up, that is. Mario Aralsoa has opened Southwest Systems and Consulting, offering IT consulting. Silver City, 534-4861.
Blanca Carpenter has opened the Hanover-based Carpenters MHS, affixing mobile-home skirting on new set-up, as well as foundation repair. 538-8407.
He's not making this up. . . or, actually, he is! David Hernandez has opened Top Shop, a new Silver City-based business producing fabricated countertops. 534-0679.
Abraham Gonzalez has opened Silver City Medical Supply, a full-service supplier of durable medical goods, including oxygen, CPAPs, beds, walkers, wheelchairs, bathroom items and more.
Martha Sanchez has opened a Farmer's Insurance office at 100 Wyatt Drive in Las Cruces. 527-9889.
Gisela Spencer has started Krystal Kottage, a new online book publishing business. 956-9822.
Bigger and Better
The Restorative Justice Community Center of Southwestern New Mexico (RJCC), which has utilized the talents of many volunteers over the years, recently hired one part-time employee, two contractors and two interns, thanks to funding by the district attorney. Restorative justice mediation services involve face-to-face mediations between victims, family and community members. 534-0336.
Steinborn GMAC has acquired Emerick Real Estate of Mesilla. Emerick president Anna Emerick-Biad says she chose to merge with Steinborn because it is a market leader in southern New Mexico. John L. Hummer, owner/broker with Steinborn, said the companies have been "healthy and friendly competitors" over the years, and acknowledged Emerick as one of the top three real estate brokerages in Las Cruces. Emerick-Biad will serve as qualifying broker in the company's Mesilla office. 647-0123, 523-2850.
Counter to much of the downsizing in the auto industry, Bravo Chevrolet Cadillac Hummer in Las Cruces held a grand reopening ceremony last month to celebrate its newly renovated facility at 1601 S. Main St. 527-3800, www.bravochevrolet.com
After closing briefly for a remodel last month, the Coach House Gifts store in the Mesilla Valley Mall has reopened with expanded offerings of Hallmark merchandise, including bolstered card lines. 700 S. Telshor Blvd. #1410, 522-4257.
Dona Ana Community College has opened its new dental clinic on campus at 3400 S. Espina St. Under construction for almost a year, the new clinic has 12 chairs. In addition to a dental program, DACC now has a dental hygiene program as well.
He's Ba-a-a-ack!
After a lengthy stay in the hospital forced him to close his business, Tim Weber has reopened Xi'an Antiques, a museum-like place stuffed with art and artifacts from China, Tibet and Japan. Not unlike a curator, Weber has seemingly endless knowledge about his unique wares. His little downtown Deming shop boasts one of the largest collections in the US of northern Buddhist objects. 109 E. Spruce St. 546-9223.
Ready for Their Close-up
Cineport 10, Allen Theatres' new, 10-screen movie theater at the Mesilla Valley Mall, has opened. The location boasts a restaurant, the Launch Pad Cafe. Vice president of operation Russell Allen says the project cost several million dollars, and the new venue will employ 35 to 40 workers in the movie theater and another 30 in the restaurant. www.allentheatresinc.com
On the Move
After citations from the fire marshal for being too crowded and having inadequate emergency exits, Silver City's White Elephant has moved to 1330 N. Hudson St., the former home of Thunder Creek Quilts. Owned and operated for 25 years by Beatrice Escamirra, the Elephant sells clothing, small household goods, furniture and more at deep discount. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Coming Soon
Savers a sizable for-profit company that operates thrift stores benefiting non-profits and charities, will open a location on North Main Street in Las Cruces, near the Wells Fargo Bank and Dollar General store. Construction is underway on the 18,000-square-foot building, and a spokesperson from the company's Bellevue, Wash., home office confirms the outlet should be open by early September, employing between 35 and 50 workers. There are more than 200 Savers stores in the US and Canada, including two in Albuquerque, two in El Paso and two in Tucson. www.savers.com
Bank Bonanza
Citizens Bank plans to open its newest Las Cruces branch in the Telshor Crossing development, at the corner of University Avenue and Telshor Boulevard, in June. Construction is slightly ahead of schedule, according to bank president Justin Harper. The building should be completed in May and open the next month. Earlier this year, the company opened a branch on Picacho Avenue. It opened a loan production office in T or C last year, its first location outside the Las Cruces area. The bank operates branches at 2841 N. Main St., 505 S. Main St. and 2551 E. Lohman Ave.
First Savings Bank has expanded with a new location at 2804 N. Telshor Blvd. The company has 23 locations in six states, including six in New Mexico. Its main branch is in Beresford, SD. www.firstsavingsbanks.com
Going, going, gone. . .
The Sportsman's Warehouse store at 200 N. Telshor Blvd. in Las Cruces is closing, throwing its 50 employees out of work, and all of its merchandise will be liquidated, store officials said. A statement on the company's Web site says Sportsman's Warehouse has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and that it hopes to keep open 29 stores. www.sportsmanswarehouse.com
Send business news to donna@desertexposure.com