An Aurora City Council committee on Wednesday recommended plans for a day care facility for dogs near Fox Valley Mall.
The full City Council still needs to vote on the plans.
Central Bark, a national whole health dog day care with more than 50 locations across the country, is looking to open at 4389 Fox Valley Center Drive in a building that used to house a National Tire and Battery business.
Franchise owners Mike and Beth Carter said they are hoping to have the business open as early as January 2025.
“This is our first foray into doggie day care,” Mike Carter said. “We wanted to try this because of our passion for dogs.”
The facility would include kennels and both inside and outside runs for the dogs to exercise.
The bulk of the business would be day care for dogs, although there would be kennels for overnight and multiple-day stays. The facility would also have training and exercise areas.
The building inside would be almost 9,000 square feet, with another 5,000 square feet of outside space.
The facility would be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and on weekends by appointment. It would include a small retail section.
All dogs brought in would be assessed and matched based on their size and temperament. They all must be up to date on their shots and other health items.
The former National Tire and Battery was in a sort-of automotive row, also including another tire story and a muffler shop. National Tire lost its lease on the building, and city officials said service uses like the dog day care could begin popping up around the mall.
“This is an offspring of the new apartments there,” said Ald. Patty Smith, 8th Ward, chair of the City Council Business, Zoning and Economic Development Committee. “This is a very positive example of what happens when you add economic development to a community.”
The Carters said they expect the facility to hold a maximum of between 100 and 120 dogs at the day care.
slord@tribpub.com
