Sit! is now under new ownership. Photo: Mike Fourcher.

Sit! Pet Boutique & Grooming Salon, located at 2316 W. Leland Ave. in Lincoln Square, is under new ownership. Since June 1, the store has been operating as SP2 (Soggy Paws 2). The transition happened quickly, in time for Mayfest festivities, but there’s a grand re-opening being planned for July.

Soggy Paws is a local chain store with locations in the South Loop, Uptown, and Logan Square. Owned by Paul Rathe and Kevin Richardson, it offers grooming, retail products, and dog-washing services (hence “soggy paws”). The Lincoln Square location includes retail and grooming for dogs and cats, but not self-washing, which is why it’s called SP2. “Like CB2,” said Richardson, referring to the Crate & Barrel offshoot.

He said that Soggy Paws stocks healthy, high-quality pet food. “If you think of Dominick’s, Trader’s Joe’s, Whole Foods—we’re at the Trader Joe’s level. People assume you have to pay a lot more to get healthy pet food, but that’s not the case.”

Savvy Seconds' new location on N. Lincoln Ave. Photo: Mike Fourcher.

The store also features U.S.-made treats and a variety of functional products, including “cute leashes for big animals” (pets that, according to Richardson, are often overlooked in the cuteness department). Soon Soggy Paws will roll out a new delivery service in select neighborhoods. Delivery zones and prices will be announced at the end of June.

In other business news, Savvy Seconds and 1sts, a mother-daughter owned resale boutique on Lawrence Ave., is moving to a new location in the heart of Lincoln Square: 4727 N. Lincoln (the former home of Traipse). At this more visible location, the store will continue its mission of providing “hip and unique” clothes at below-retail prices. A grand opening bash, with champagne and treats, will be held on June 18–20.

Tags: lincoln square, Savvy Seconds & 1sts, Sit! Pet Boutique, Soggy Paws, SP2