A new pet salon and bakery is set to open its doors in Columbus, Georgia, with a ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a dog adoption event the same afternoon. Salty Dawg Pet Salon + Bakery is moving into 1701 Rollins Way, Suite 400, bringing grooming, styling, accessories and bakery treats to the local pet-owning crowd.
The grand opening celebration was detailed by WRBL, which reported that the ribbon cutting will kick off a two-day community event hosted alongside Paws Humane Society and the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. At 4 p.m., Paws Humane Society will hold an adoption event until 6 p.m. on Nov. 13, giving shelter dogs a shot at new homes on the salon's opening day.
According to the Columbus location's own listing, the shop sits at 1701 Rollins Way, Ste 400, Columbus, GA, 31904-3699. Salty Dawg describes its signature offering as a full-groom service that is a head-to-tail transformation combining all the essentials with a customized coat cut, per the company's Columbus page on saltydawg.com.
A Golden Retriever Named Luna Started It All
Jay Patel is the owner and Columbus franchisee behind the new shop, and he says the idea traces back to a dog he no longer has. Patel had a golden retriever named Luna until a few years before the opening, and he has said she is the reason his Salty Dawg location exists, with WRBL reporting that Luna inspired him to establish the business.
Patel said he was drawn to Salty Dawg because it combined his business background with his love of dogs and an interest in service work. He plans to get another dog once he has more time, the station's report notes, and in the meantime he is encouraging local residents to bring their own dogs out for the celebration.
Why Patel Sees Columbus As the Right Fit
Patel described Columbus as a diverse city, pointing to a mix of native residents, military families, and Alabama residents who work in or support the local economy. He said partnering with Paws Humane Society fits that community spirit, noting that the collaboration supports caring for dogs and finding them loving homes.
The weekend celebration will continue on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with goody bags, giveaways, free prize drawings and refreshments planned for residents and their dogs both days. Salty Dawg says it was founded in 2018 and currently operates in Atlanta, North Carolina and Texas.
A Fast-Growing Pet Salon Franchise
Salty Dawg's expansion into Columbus comes as the brand has been building out its franchise footprint nationally. Franchise Times reported that the company launched in 2018 and began franchising in 2022, and at the time of that report it counted two franchise locations in Texas and one in Georgia. The trade publication also noted that opening a Salty Dawg pet salon typically costs between $185,250 and $460,950, with an average store size of 1,700 square feet, though those figures reflect broader franchise economics rather than specifics tied to the Columbus shop.
For now, the focus in Columbus is on Friday's ribbon cutting and the adoption drive that follows, with Patel inviting neighbors to stop by with their dogs in tow.
