New dog boutique and grooming business opens on Forest Avenue; owner outlines classes and community plans

Alex Merman, owner of Furry Mermaid Canine Company, thanked the council for the ribbon cutting and told the South Lebanon City Council on Aug. 7 that the business opened on Forest Avenue “between the post office and the laundromat” the previous Saturday.

Merman described the shop as two adjoining spaces that include a grooming salon, a retail boutique for new and gently used pet items (described by the owner as "Pluto's closet" for secondhand pet goods), and a calendar of monthly community classes and events. The owner said the business will host ladies’ nights, children’s craft nights, weekly puppy training on Sundays, by-appointment dog art sessions, puppy yoga with rescue partners, dog-treat cooking classes and adoption events that would provide exposure for rescue animals.

Merman provided a home address during public comment: 3250 Pulse Creek Road in Morrow, and said the shop is on Forest Avenue. She listed local small-business partners already supplying products or services at the shop, including Red River Confections, Katie’s Cookies, Biscuits and Barks, Danny Cakes, Pawsome Turkey Chews, Carrie Signature Parties, Playing with Clay and On Track Training.

The owner said she is working on a “pet food pantry” concept to partner with the local South Lebanon food pantry as a take-one/leave-one bin for pet food donations and distribution, and is pursuing adoption and education events with local rescue groups and law-enforcement canine demonstrations. Mayor Burke and council members thanked Merman for choosing South Lebanon and for her community‑oriented ideas. No council action or city funding was associated with the ribbon cutting in the meeting record.