GRANDVIEW, Ohio — Leanna Rocheleau has owned Barks and Rec, a dog day care, boarding and grooming business, in Grandview since 2019.
Her business faces an uncertain future after she received a termination of lease letter.
“I’m disheartened that they said they were upfront because they definitely were not,” Rocheleau said.
Since opening, she’s signed on 2,500 clients and offered nonprofit job training for workers with disabilities.
The future remains uncertain for her business after an investor bought the property to build apartments. Rocheleau received a termination of lease letter, asking her to vacate the building by March 8, 2023.
“They never informed me that they had the intent to sell the building,” Rocheleau said. “We were devastated, especially because, already surviving a pandemic, then the staffing shortage,” says Rocheleau.
In an email from the property owner, a representative said:
“Barks and Rec first moved into the location three years ago. At the time, we were very upfront with Ms. Rocheleau that we were exploring redevelopment opportunities for this location. We offered her a three-year lease. The lease included a clause that gave KRG the ability to terminate the lease at any time with a year’s notice to vacate.”
Whatever the case, Rocheleau said with the market the way it is currently, it’s been an extreme challenge finding an affordable property to rent in the Grandview area which would help her maintain clients and employees.
“The spaces that we need are large warehouse spaces which are getting picked over by redevelopers who are buying up the properties, wiping it out and putting up storefronts and high-rise apartments,” Rocheleau said. “A lot of our job trainers live on the west side, so this is a perfect location. We provide transportation to and from, so that would obviously change things if they move locations.”
Rocheleau is looking at all funding options, hoping to raise enough money to either rent or even purchase a new property.
Although she knows the months ahead will be challenging, she is reaching out to the local community asking for support.
“Barks and Rec wouldn’t be what it is if it weren’t for the staff and obviously we’re a little disheartened and a little worried about where we’re gonna go,” said Rocheleau. “That’s why we’re reaching out to the community to try and come up with a plan so we all feel a little easier.”
