A Belleville woman recently opened a pet-grooming salon, bringing her love of animals and more than 15 years of experience to the business.
Susana Martinez provides upscale grooming services for dogs and cats at Luxe Paws Spa, located at 335 W. Main St., Suite 4E, in Belleville. Services include baths, hair styling, de-shedding, haircuts, nail trims and more.
The salon’s walls are pink and blue. As a fan of “Bridgerton,” Martinez chose a vintage-meets-modern look for the decor. A decorative chandelier hangs in the front area, and one wall displays matching photos of her six former dogs.
Front grooming area at Luxe Paws Spa
The space also includes a grooming table and a pink Kobalt tool chest. The back area has a supply cabinet, multiple kennels, a bathing area and another grooming table with a blow dryer.
“I’ve always been an animal lover,” said Martinez, who has owned not only dogs but also a variety of animals, ranging from furry to scaly.
View of the back room at Luxe Paws Spa in Belleville
Making a career with a love of animals
Originally from Los Angeles, Martinez began her grooming career in 2008.
She was a college student working a part-time retail job she disliked. While looking for other employment, she applied at PetSmart and was hired as a bather in the grooming department. She quickly fell in love with the work.
Soon after, Martinez felt she was at a crossroads in her career. She considered becoming a veterinarian. While volunteering at an animal shelter, she saw too many difficult situations and decided she did not have the heart to become a vet.
Grooming made her happy. At the same time, working for a corporation did not suit her. She preferred a more personal level of customer service, valuing quality and relationships over quotas. She began looking for grooming positions at small, independent businesses and eventually found Happy Tails Dog Spa in Torrance, California.
The owner, Julissa Sperling, became her mentor and taught her everything about the business. Martinez said Sperling treated her like a daughter and was heartbroken when she left.
Sperling’s business inspired Luxe Paws Spa, including the pink walls and the poodle incorporated into the business logo.
“She was amazing. I love her,” Martinez said of Sperling, whose business won community awards over the years.
“I wanna be like that,” she said.
“I want to build relationships, not just with the pets but with the pet parents too,” she said. “I want to see them happy.”
When Martinez started her business, she held mini-spa events with limited services at area events such as Belleville Woofstock.
Her husband, Raul, posted on social media that they were looking for a permanent location. Several people contacted Lynette Linnemeier, owner of The Barkery, who then reached out to Martinez.
Martinez said Linnemeier offered her space in the building on West Main Street. Work on the salon began in April, shortly before the West Main Village Market made its debut. Martinez participated as a vendor at the market to promote her business and offer mini-spa services.
For now, she’s starting slowly and providing one-on-one appointments with pets. “Seeing a dog that was really nervous in the beginning” become happy to return brings her joy, she said.
View from the front area at Luxe Paws Spa in Belleville
Leaving home to build a new life
Martinez moved to the metro-east two years ago from Los Angeles with Raul and their now 4-year-old son, leaving their extended families behind.
The couple wanted to move somewhere more affordable, not too hot or too cold, and near a major city, she said. Although they had never been to the area and did not know anyone, they weighed the pros and cons and decided Belleville fit the bill.
Martinez loves the city’s old buildings, especially the Cathedral of Saint Peter, and feels they bring character to Belleville.
She comes from a large, close-knit family that enjoys cooking together. Martinez still likes to embrace her Hispanic roots and make authentic dishes, and she has yet to find a restaurant that compares with her family’s cooking.
Martinez’s parents also visited the area and loved it, she said.
The small family is still exploring the metro-east and looking for their found family. Martinez said she and Raul are big sports fans and enjoy the local teams. Raul played soccer in Los Angeles and found a team here, she said.
They meet new people at local events and other businesses, and Martinez hopes to make new connections through her own business.
“As a first-generation Latina business owner, I am proud to be investing in Downtown Belleville alongside another woman-owned business,” she wrote in an earlier statement.
“We are excited to bring new energy and foot traffic to the west side of Main Street and contribute to the continued growth of our downtown community.”
About Luxe Paws Spa
Luxe Paws Spa is located at 335 W. Main St., Suite 4E, in Belleville. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more info or to make an appointment, call 618-573-6228 or visit luxepawsspa.com.
Storage cabinet for pet grooming supplies
Behind the front desk at Luxe Paws Spa