PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- A South Philly pet service has stayed in business through the coronavirus pandemic because of the kindness of neighbors, many of whom are front line workers.
Pit Stop HQ, a doggie day care and pet shop in the center of the historic 9th Street Market in South Philly's Bella Vista neighborhood, has struggled since COVID-19 struck the city.
"It was a huge hit for the business. At the start of COVID, Pit Stop averaged about 60 dogs per day, and currently we're down about 50%," employee Brian Heiss said.
"At one point during the pandemic, when Philadelphia completely shut down on March 19, the owners had to lay off their entire staff."
Pit Stop HQ employee Brian Heiss, with a canine clientShara Dae Howard/KYW Newsradio
Even though the numbers aren't what they used to be, business is better now because of a specific set of neighbors.
"We cater to a lot of medical people -- doctors, nurses, medical billers. They're essential workers fighting COVID in the community," Heiss said.
So when those doctors and nurses head out to get the job done, Heiss says, the shop gets to work too.
"The city does consider us a life sustaining business," Heiss said. "Once the city had loosened restrictions, a lot of our clients went back to work."
Jason Burrows, who brings his French bulldogs, Bella and Beaux, to Pit Stop HQ, says it's a community thing.
"We live down the street, and one of the things we try to do is support all of our local businesses, and this is probably one of the best ones we go to, probably, on a daily basis," Burrows said.
To keep business as safe as possible for employees and customers, all bookings for grooming, day care and boarding services must be done online.
