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 The ribbon cutting was held outside the front door
of the building. A large number of people were in attendance. In
addition to a number of customers on hand, others present for the
cut included from the city of Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman, Aldermen
Kevin Bateman and Tracy Welch, City Administrator Beth Kavelman,
City Clerk Peggy Bateman and Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky. Representing
the State Bank of Lincoln were Steven Augenbaugh and Michael Turner,
and from the Logan County Tourism Bureau Morgan Gleason and Kaylee
Kirby, also for the tourism bureau as well as the Humane Society of
Logan County was Marilyn Wheat. Leading the ribbon cut were Karen
Hargis, Roy Logan and Nila Smith of Lincoln Daily News.
Armbruster was joined at the ribbon by her staff members Missy Levi,
Leah Beckers and Kim Huynh. Staff member Maggie Anderson was unable
to attend.
The ceremony began with a welcome by Smith that noted that the
improvements to the facility, which includes a new large fenced-in
dog run and a doggie daycare area.
It was noted that Armbruster and her staff are continually working
to improve what they offer to the community. Noting a need for more
daycare options for pets, Armbruster has initiated the daycare plan
and currently has a number of guests enjoying the service on a
regular basis.
It was also noted that Armbruster has owned Cha-Dai since 2006. The
business opened in the 1980’s, but fell on hard times and closed in
January of 2006. Armbruster with her husband Dr. Bill Armbruster, a
Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, purchased Cha-Dai in July of that
same year. The business had been named Cha-Dai as means of honoring
Charles and Daisy Hoelscher. Armbruster chose to maintain that name
for the same reason.
Armbruster thanked everyone who had come out for the
ribbon cut. She talked about her feelings for the business and the
animals it serves. She said that growing her business had been a
labor of love, and that with the time she had put into it, she could
not have kept going had it not been for the love of the animals that
she served.
She added that six months ago “I didn’t think that I would be here
in this position or be so happy with the way things are going here.”
She attributed that to her customers who tell her what they want and
need, and to her staff that support the direction the business is
going.
She said that the business is growing and that they are talking to
new customers or prospects on a daily basis and that was something
that wasn’t happening six months ago, so the changes they are making
is working.
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 She explained that the rule of the day for her and
her staff is to treat the pets they are caring for, like they would
treat their own.
She talked about the personal satisfaction she derives from
providing the services to the community. Specifically she spoke
about the grooming she does. For her, it is particularly satisfying
to have a pet come in that is less than perfect, to clean it up,
trim it up, make it look pretty, and see the responses of the
owners.
When pets are in long term care, whether it is a weekend or an
extended stay, she said one thing she and the staff do is take tons
of photos of the animals. She said that she will send text message
pictures to the owners letting them see how the pet is adjusting and
doing in its temporary surroundings. She said so many of the owners
really appreciate that. Pets are just four-legged children, and when
they are separated from their parents or owners it does the owners
good to see that their pet is doing well.
Mayor Goodman said first, that on behalf of the city
he wanted to congratulate the owner and staff for their continued
success at Cha-Dai. He then added a personal note saying, “My dogs
wait for me to leave, because they can come here. They love to come
here when I’m out of town.” Kay picked up that comment quickly and
said that the mayor’s dogs, Reese and Winston, are big fans of the
new dog run and that they love being turned out to run and run.
With that, it was time to snip the ribbon. Armbruster
held the scissors with her staff standing behind her. Then at the
countdown she cut the ribbon celebrating the new and improved
Cha-Dai.
Everyone was invited back inside for refreshments, sweets and a
quick tour of the building led by Armbruster.
For those who have not been to Cha-Dai and are interested, there
will be an open house at the motel on Saturday morning. You can also
drop in anytime the business is open and speak with Missy or Kay
about the services they offer.
Congratulations to Kay and her staff, and best wishes for much
success in the future.
[Nila Smith] |
