Mentor-on-the-Lake Happy Tails manager Erika Begovic with owner Mark Wardeiner at the new location opened July 29 in the plaza by Giant Eagle on Plains Road. (Courtesy Mark Wardeiner)

From the time he was 5 years old, Mark Wardeiner considered himself an entrepreneur on some scale in some capacity.

From running a lemonade stand as a young boy to a cleaning and landscaping company when he was in high school, the now retired teacher and soccer coach has always had business ideas running through his head.

None of them involved the pet industry, but that all changed about three years ago when his family got a dog.

Wardeiner subsequently opened Happy Tails, a pet supply store in Chester Township. And on July 29, he opened a second location at 7867 Plains Road in Mentor-on-the-Lake in a plaza next to Giant Eagle.

“Aside from wanting to have a dog as a pet when I was a child — my parents did not allow that — I didn’t have a strong interest in the animal industry,” Wardeiner said. “However, after welcoming a dog into our home three years ago, I have been inspired to learn more about behaviors in dogs and cats as well as how important nutrition is in their daily diet.

“Society has largely moved away from just feeding the dog table scraps or buying a giant bag of kibble with sprayed on beef flavor,” he added. “Pet owners are so much more knowledgeable and care about the health and wellness of their furry friends”

Mentor-on-the-Lake was going to be the first Happy Tails location as Wardeiner was already in lease negotiations with the landlord. However, in late November 2022, an opportunity opened up at the last minute and the landlord in Chester Township got him started.

He continued to stay in touch with the landlord in Mentor-on-the-Lake knowing that he would eventually open a second store.

“There are a few key considerations for opening in Mentor-on-the-Lake,” Wardeiner said. “Both the city of Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake are fantastic communities that support local businesses. The population density and the Giant Eagle as an anchor store are two perfect ingredients for a recipe of success.

“In addition, I believe the location is great for the pet owners that want to avoid the congested traffic by travelling south on Route 615 and Route 306.”

Currently, Happy Tails carries food, treats, toys, supplements, grooming and other supplies for dogs and cats. They also have a small selection for other pets such as hamsters and rabbits.

Happy Tails has a full-time dog groomer, part-time cat groomer and a self-serve dog wash, which saves a lot of time and mess from washing the dog at home.

Wardeiner said carrying live animals is not in the plans at the moment, but they do plan on working with local animal shelters to support their adoption efforts.

With franchise pet supply chains in the area and online options, Wardeiner recognizes the attraction of being under a big brand name, however, he believes by going the small business route, they are able to provide a more personable customer service and build stronger relationships with customers.

“Our customers will become members of the Happy Tails family and we will share in their joys when they bring in their new puppy or kitten, and also provide a shoulder to lean on when their companion has health issues or passes away,” he said. “These strong relationships will build trust from our customers and we can advise them on the best foods if their companion has digestive problems, joint problems, bladder issues, pancreatitis, etc.”

“We also have the freedom to carry what we believe provides the best nutrition for our customers’ pets and are not forced by a corporation to carry items that may not be the healthiest choice,” he added.”

Wardeiner said the Chew Bar the store offers is popular because they carry unique items such as duck heads, duck feet and turkey necks. The beef cheek rolls and dog treats also sell very well.

Fromm and NutriSource are the most popular dog food brands that sell along with raw food. The cat treats along with Merrick and Purina cat food are popular.

The food and toys from local suppliers are in great demand.

The new location has become an quick success over the first month and Wardeiner hopes to continue the momentum.

“The community support has been outstanding,” he said. “We have received many positive, supportive comments on Facebook and even had the mayor from Mentor-on-the-Lake stop by. Great Clips and Vitrum, our fellow plaza merchants, have done a fantastic job of referring customers to us for food, supplies and grooming.”