Dogs wait their turn for a grooming at The LaundryMutt Too.
WINNETKA – Take a walk in any of the North Shore suburbs and the popularity of doodles — a crossbreed poodle — is hard to miss. These lovable designer dogs are known for their fluffy coats, but what makes these breeds appealing also requires some serious maintenance.
Enter The LaundryMutt, run by Melissa and Russ Morbee and their six children. The LaundryMutt opened in Wilmette more than five years ago and has been bursting at the seams ever since. Famed for its personal attention, the groomer is popular not only among doodle owners, but just about every other type of dog breed as well as cats. The pet salon has maintained a waiting list for new clients since it opened.
In response to this pent-up demand, the Morbees recently opened The LaundryMutt Too at 1054 Gage Street, Winnetka. “I have had an amazing following of people. There are no better clients than those who support me and my family — that is both four-legged and two-legged clients,” Melissa Morbee cheerfully told DailyNorthShore.
Both the Wilmette and Winnetka locations feature a cage-free environment, where typically two to three dogs hang out together as they take turns getting bathed and groomed. “Dogs don’t like to be crated. It’s scary for them and they bark,” Morbee said. You’ll hear very little barking at either location. At The LaundryMutt Too the dogs roam around freely, socializing or snuggling on a chair parked in the room just for them. “It is a really nice socializing thing,” Morbee said.
Morbee prefers the relaxed atmosphere where each pet receives individual attention. The new location is decorated in a deep purple and sage green, with white beadboard paneling throughout. Pet treats from Noah’s Ark Pet Supply are displayed on a dresser in the entrance, as well as an apothecary cabinet stocked with Wildwash shampoo. An animated picture of the Morbee’s own dogs hangs behind the counter.
The entire Morbee family clearly loves dogs — Morbee wouldn’t say just how many dogs they own — and so the importance of their clients’ pets is not lost on them. “These are children to people here. They take really good care of their dogs,” Morbee said. Over the years, Morbee has found that she becomes very attached to her four-legged clients. In fact, one of the most challenging parts of the job is when the senior clients pass on. “That part is very hard for me to see dogs I got as a young puppy and then they age. You get really attached,” she said.
The Morbees take a natural-holistic approach to pet grooming. Only natural products imported from England are used as well as high-velocity dryers — they never use cage driers. Each dog is treated to two shampoos and an ear cleaning. The dogs are then brushed and trimmed on adjustable tables that make it easy for them to step on and off. Every dog gets a free nail clipping.
“Foot care is so important, especially as they get older,” Morbee said.
Morbee said they’ll trim a dog however the owner prefers, taking care to get it right. Most of their clients are in the loyalty program and bring in their dogs on a regular schedule depending on their needs. She noted that most doodle owners prefer to keep their pets long and fluffy, which requires regular attention since the coats can get matted.
“There are so many safe, kind techniques to keeping doodles long and fluffy,” she said.
Pet owners will be pleased to hear that the opening of The LaundryMutt Too has freed up space and new clients are now welcome at both locations. Morbee is excited to expand the client base while continuing to serve existing clients.
“It has been an amazing journey. We are so blessed,” she said.
The LaundryMutt is located at 729 Ridge Road, Wilmette and is open Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The LaundryMutt Too is located at 1054 Gage Street, Winnetka and is open Monday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..
For more information go to www.thelaundrymutt.net.
The LaundryMutt Too in Winnetka.
A doodle gets groomed at The LaundryMutt Too.