Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique Brings New Life to South Street in Glens Falls
Glens Falls has long been known as a walkable, community-driven city, but like many downtown areas, it has also faced its share of quiet streets and empty storefronts. For years, South Street in particular sat underutilized. An area locals recognized as full of potential, but in need of the right businesses and the right energy to bring it back to life.
That’s exactly where Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique comes in.
Owned and operated by Alisha Stosic, Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique has quickly become one of the most exciting new additions to downtown Glens Falls. Located at 45 South Street, the business officially opened on November 20th, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting celebration held on December 16th. And while the shop is new, the impact it’s already making on the neighborhood is significant.
“We are in downtown… where we are the beginning businesses to the revitalization of South Street,” Stosic shared. She explained that South Street has been “pretty empty and kind of rundown for the past decade or more,” but now the momentum is shifting, and Downtown Dogs is part of that change.
From Corporate Life to Community Business Owner
Stosic’s path to entrepreneurship wasn’t immediate. Before opening Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique, she spent 20 years working in healthcare and nonprofit management. Like many aspiring small business owners, she reached a point where she wanted more freedom and something she could build herself.
“I just decided to kind of get out of the corporate life and wanted to do something on my own,” she said.
But she didn’t just want to start any business. She knew it needed to reflect her passion for dogs.
Stosic grew up in a dog-loving family and even spent time helping her grandparents, who operated a kennel when she was younger. That lifelong connection made it clear what direction her next chapter needed to take. When she found the South Street space, the idea came together quickly.
A Unique Dog Spa Meets Boutique Experience
Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique isn’t just another grooming business. It was intentionally designed to be something more. Part grooming salon, part specialty boutique, and part community hub for pet owners.
On the grooming side, the shop offers full grooms, baths, brushing services, walk-in nail trims, and seasonal grooming packages. She also mentioned fun add-ons such as hair tinsel for long-haired dogs and even pet-safe fur coloring, which they are beginning to roll out.
Currently, Downtown Dogs has two groomers, but the space is built to expand, with the ability to support four full-time groomers as demand grows.
On the boutique side, customers can shop for specialty toys, treats, wearables, and unique pet products that aren’t typically found at major retailers like Target or Petco. Stosic emphasized that many of their products are USA-made, sourced from across the country, with a few locally produced items as well. One standout product? Dog beer. Something that has quickly become a fun talking point among customers.
For those outside the Glens Falls area, the boutique also ships nationwide directly through their website, with orders already sent as far as Montana and California.
Helping Revitalize South Street
While Stosic doesn’t consider herself a historian, she understands the importance of what’s happening in this area of the city. She credits Glens Falls leadership with helping create the conditions for growth, saying the city has done a “wonderful job of getting the right people to do the right things” to move the street forward.
And the future looks big.
Stosic noted that by the end of upcoming development plans, the neighborhood is expected to gain over 200 new apartments within just a couple of blocks, an expansion that will dramatically increase foot traffic and demand for downtown businesses.
Building a Business Rooted in Community
Beyond grooming and retail, Stosic has a vision that goes deeper. Her goals include meaningful community involvement, such as partnering with organizations that support veterans and service dogs, and educating the public on service animal awareness.
One of her most impactful plans is launching a pet loss support group, something she believes is missing in the local area. She has even completed certification to become a pet loss specialist so she can lead and moderate the group.
“It’s such a needed outlet… for people that lose their pets,” she explained, describing it as a space for connection and support. The group is expected to begin soon and may be hosted at local coffee shops or outdoor spaces during warmer months.
Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
When asked what advice she’d give her younger self, Stosic didn’t hesitate:
“Take the leap.”
She acknowledged that fear often delays big decisions, but the truth is there’s never a perfect time to start. Her message is simple: do it anyway.
Learn More About Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique
Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique continues to grow as one of Glens Falls’ most exciting new businesses, bringing energy not only to pet owners but also to the ongoing revitalization of South Street.
To learn more, shop online, or book grooming services, visit downtowndogsspaandboutique.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see daily updates and photos of the pups that come through the shop.