The dog wash station is a first in Minot and offers people a convenient setup, with shampoos, aprons and towels provided. They don’t even need to worry about cleaning up after themselves because store staff take care of that chore.

A number of customers, known as “neighbors” by store employees, were trying out the wash station for free during the grand opening while also checking out the store, which held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Minot Area Chamber/EDC representatives on Saturday morning.

“We’re glad to be here,” said Zac Miller, senior store director. “We’re just excited to be part of the neighborhood.”

The store offers pet grooming, a dog play area, cat adoption and a wide variety of pet supplies at its location in the North Hill Marketplace Foods mall at 16th Street and 21st Avenue Northwest. Coming is a section of the store dedicated to reptiles and fish. The store also expects to have guinea pigs, some snakes and other types of pets.

Minot Area Chamber/EDC Ambassadors join staff at Pet Supplies Plus for a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the store’s grand opening in northwest Minot Saturday.

The store, under the same ownership as Marketplace, opened Dec. 18.

The dog wash costs $10, but people can purchase the Dirty Dog Discount Card, which store leader Helen Gotvaslee explained gives people five washes for $25. People can use up to 30 minutes for a wash and 30 minutes for the dryer.

Gotvaslee said people are allowed to bring their own shampoos, but the wash stations include shampoo choices at no extra cost.

“There’s no appointments necessary and we have three bays,” Gotvaslee said. “Every time a neighbor comes in and washes their pet, we just come in and clean up afterwards. So we sanitize it and make sure it’s clean for the next neighbor to bring their pets in.”

She estimated an average of eight neighbors a day have been making use of the dog wash since it opened, although some days are busier than others.

“It’s amazing how well it’s being used now,” Gotvaslee said. “It’s been a big hit.”

The three bays mean little, if any, waiting time. In addition to two bays for larger dogs and one for smaller dogs, the walk-in area includes equipment and drainage that allows for washing larger dogs on the floor without having to fit them into a bay.

Gotvaslee said staff will walk anyone who has questions through the wash process or assist them as needed.

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.