Ultimate Pet Pampering in Land O' Lakes

Fido may enter Red Hydrant Pet Spa & Boutique a dirty dog but he will leave one pampered pooch.

The canine groomer, at 2446 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., competes with customer service and attention to detail, owners say.

“There’s always someone who can sell for a dollar less,” points out Roman Giamarese, who owns the shops with life- and business partner Martin Ellis.

Yet Red Hydrant offers an experience not everyone else can or is willing to do. Ellis said his four-legged clients are treated to tearless shampoo on their heads, U.S.-made products that are veterinarian-quality and a drying process that does not involve a cage.

“We hand dry the dogs,” Ellis said, adding spa packages typically start at around $50. “It’s much more humane.”

Ellis and Giamarese opened Red Hydrant in 2005. Ellis is the head groomer while Giamarese works the front desk and serves as buyer for the multitude of treats, collars, gifts and toys in the boutique shop. The pair moved to the area from Las Vegas.

“We left corporate America and took early retirement,” explained Ellis, who graduated from the Academy of Animal Arts in Florida and worked at two Tampa Bay Area shops before opening Red Hydrant, according to his online biography.

About two-dozen furry friends come through the shop each day, Giamarese said. Much of the client base is repeat customers.

The two self-described dog-lovers love the work they do. “My worst day here is better than my best day in corporate America,” Ellis said.

Handling creatures that are so loved by their owners is an honor, too.

“Some of the dogs are rescues,” Ellis said. “The owner and the dog trust us. That’s a lot of trust.”

Pretty cool, too, Ellis said, when the pair are out in the community and people recognize them as their pet’s groomer. 

“We live, work, shop within a 2- to 3-mile radius,” Ellis said. 

More Information:

• Red Hydrant website
• Red Hydrant Facebook page