The Ritz Pawton, a place where dogs are treated like royalty, opened its doors in mid-January, offering grooming services. By early February, it expanded to include overnight boarding and day services.
Fallon Zapata, the owner, shared her excitement, saying, “It’s finally here. It’s finally my dream come true.”
Located at 1531 Edgefield Road, near Fox Creek High School in Edgefield County, the luxury pet service offers top-notch treatment for dogs.
Zapata, speaking to Post and Courier North Augusta before the grand opening on Saturday, mentioned, “It must have been a very high need here in this area.” She noted that many of her clients previously had to travel to Augusta or Aiken for similar services.
At the grand opening on March 16, Fallon Zapata warmly greeted the dogs that came to check out her new grooming and boarding business.
Originally from Columbia County, Zapata had plans to start this doggie venture there about five years ago. She even secured a piece of land for it but faced setbacks due to zoning restrictions in the county.
However, Zapata found Edgefield County to be incredibly welcoming. She moved to North Augusta to be closer to her business, embracing the support from the local community.
Entrepreneurship runs in her family, with both of her parents owning their businesses. They operate That Flippin’ Egg in Evans and are planning to open an RV and boat storage company next to the Ritz Pawton.
Zapata has always wanted to follow in her family’s entrepreneurial footsteps. Now that her sons are older, she felt it was the right time to pursue her own dream. The name “Ritz Pawton” has been in her mind for 15 years, along with her certifications in dog grooming.
Now that the business is up and running, Zapata finds great joy in seeing the transformation of the dogs that come in. “Every day that we get a dog in that has never been in an environment like this, they’re super shy, they’re super withdrawn — just watching them change while they’re here and then, like, run through the door to be here — that’s probably the most rewarding thing to me,” said Zapata.