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Dog boarding and training business to fill Hobby Lobby spot in Palatine

A large-scale dog boarding and training business will fill a vacant section of a former Hobby Lobby store at Palatine Plaza on Northwest Highway.

Palatine village council members Monday night approved a special-use permit for Pete and Mac's Pet Resort to operate in 12,000 square feet on the west side of the 46,000-square-foot Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby relocated to part of a former Dominick's Finer Foods at Deer Grove Crossing Shopping Center on Dundee Road in Palatine in May 2016.

Based in Mesa, Arizona, Pete and Mac's is an expanding, corporately owned chain that began in 1999 and offers dog boarding, training, grooming and day care. Pete and Mac's has five locations in Arizona, Missouri, Texas and Kansas, with Palatine and Downers Grove in line to have the first two Illinois facilities.

Council members retreated from an initial recommendation from Palatine administrators to allow a maximum of 50 dogs in the facility for the first 90 days before considering Pete and Mac's request for a 110-animal cap.

In return, Pete and Mac's President/CEO Gay Barwald agreed to correct any problems if barking or other complaints are received by the village. Barwald and Pete and Mac's representative Bryan Spain said the business could have had to turn away clients if the 50-dog limit were imposed at the start.

Barwald said Pete and Mac's will be making an investment of about $800,000 in the Palatine Plaza space.

“Now, we're very cognizant of noise,” Barwald said. “Again, it's not good for us to have a bunch of barking dogs.”

Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz said the idea to have Pete and Mac's start with 50 dogs came about because the village does not have any large-scale kennels and wanted to make sure “every piece in the puzzle works.”

Pete and Mac's plans an outdoor play area for a maximum 45 dogs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those in the kennel or day care. The area will be roughly 2,400 square feet and surrounded by an 8-foot-tall fence.

Barwald tried to alleviate concerns about noise from the outdoor area voiced by Councilman Brad Helms, saying the solid fence will be 2 feet from meeting a roof covering the space. She also said there will be sound baffles to absorb any barking.

Pete and Mac's could open by September, Barwald said.

Palatine Hobby Lobby opens:

Crunch Fitness moving into vacant Dominick's in Palatine

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