While work continues on the new Front Street bakery, across the street, a Dowagiac couple is working on opening of a bakery of their own — one catering to the tastes of the city’s furry, four-legged residents.

Deb and Curt Rohdy are currently building the interior of their soon-to-open business, Bow Wow Bakery & Bath, located next to Underwood Shoes near the intersection of Front and Commercial streets downtown. The owners are hoping to have the dog grooming business open by mid to late August, they said.

While the interior still has a ways to go, the couple has already mapped out the space: the front of the shop will serve as a waiting/reception area for customers, an office in the middle will serve as a gift shop, and a couple stalls near the rear hall way will contain the bath tubs for cleaning the business’ canine clients.

“People will be able to wash their dogs, like a self-serve, or they will be able to schedule an appointment with a groomer,” Deb said.

The back of the business will house a kitchen area, where Deb will bake in-house dog treats. She also plans on selling a selection of dog food as well.

The Rohdies, longtime residents of Dowagiac, purchased the more than century-old storefront next to Underwood two years ago, Curt said. Deb, a recently retired employee of Dowagiac Union Schools, became enamored with the concept of dog grooming shops during her recent travels around the country with Curt, she said.

“It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for about five years,” Deb said. “So when my husband said, ‘Hey, let’s buy some property downtown,’ I was all on board.”

Deb has taken inspiration from a number of her favorite pet-friendly shops, including her favorite such location in Traverse City, she said.

“I’m taking bits and pieces from what I saw and putting them into this building,” Deb said.

The owners have lined up three groomers to handle private appointments upon the opening of the business, they said.

The front façade of the building is mostly completed at this point, with the windows sporting the logo of the new business, which is based off an image of one couple’s own dogs, a goldendoodle named Reggie, Deb said. The finished interior of the store will feature the same red, black and gold color scheme featured on the exterior, she said.

As could be expected from a dog-friendly establishment, Deb plans on taking Reggie and the couple’s other dog, Eddie, with her to work everyday, she said.

“We treat our dogs like our second pair of kids,” Deb said.

The Rohdies are currently looking to have the business open from Monday through Saturday every week.