Critters Corner Celebrates Grand Opening on Main Street with Chamber Ribbon Cutting

CENTRE — The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Critters Corner to its new Main Street location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1122 West Main Street in Centre. Chamber members, local community leaders, friends and family gathered to celebrate the growing business and its continued investment in Cherokee County.

The ceremony began inside the new storefront, where Chamber Executive Director Joy Perry and Member Manager Leann Lockridge welcomed attendees before turning the program over to owner Daniel Bolton, who shared the background of the business and its mission.

The ceremony then moved outside for the official act of cutting the ribbon.

Critters Corner, owned by Daniel and Jaycee Bolton, recently relocated from its original Sunflower Court location after outgrowing the space. The business first opened in Alabama in December 2024. As it continued to expand, the Boltons determined a larger facility was needed to better serve their clients.

Although the location is new, the Boltons bring extensive experience to the community.

A Foundation in Training and Discipline

Daniel Bolton has more than 15 years of professional dog training experience. Originally from Jacksonville, he developed his interest in dog training by watching his father work with dogs while he was growing up and ultimately decided to follow in his father’s footsteps.

After joining the Army National Guard, Bolton opened his first dog training business while stationed in California. His military background plays a significant role in his structured training approach, emphasizing clear communication, patience and positive reinforcement.

He specializes in obedience training, agility, service dog training and behavior modification. Whether working with a new puppy or addressing behavioral concerns in adult dogs, his focus is on equipping owners with the skills needed to train and communicate effectively with their pets. He emphasizes that the goal is not to train the dog for the owner, but to teach the owner how to train the dog and effectively “speak dog fluently.”

The Boltons returned to Alabama and established their business locally after learning they were expecting their son. They describe Cherokee County as a great area with great people and saw an opportunity to provide a dedicated dog training facility in the county. While some individuals offer training services, Critters Corner is currently the only dedicated dog training business in Cherokee County.

Bolton also noted from his experience that people in the South tend to have strong success with training their dogs compared to other regions.

Grooming with Care and Experience

Jaycee Bolton serves as co-owner and groomer and is described as one of the driving forces behind Critters Corner. With a lifelong love for animals and a calm, patient demeanor, she works to ensure each grooming session is safe and comfortable, even for anxious or energetic pets.

Her services include soothing baths, breed-specific cuts, nail trims and deshedding treatments. She has experience with most basic grooming cuts and can accommodate breed-specific styles. Pricing varies based on the size of the dog and the services selected. Options include bath-and-brush packages as well as full grooms that incorporate haircuts and deshedding treatments.

In addition to grooming, she helps manage daily operations, interacts with clients, and provides helpful pet care tips to owners.

Comprehensive Pet Services

Critters Corner offers positive reinforcement-based dog training, professional grooming, cozy supervised boarding and a small retail selection of bandanas and leashes. The Boltons also plan to expand into a full line of pet supplies in the near future, with the goal of creating a dedicated pet store for Cherokee County.

Dog Training Programs

Training programs include private sessions and boarding training options, where dogs stay for a designated training period. Courses are structured in six-week increments and are offered at basic, intermediate and advanced levels. Owners attend one day per week to work alongside their canine companions.

The mission of Critters Corner is to provide top-quality, positive reinforcement-based dog training services that empower owners to understand and communicate effectively with their pets, creating a positive and enjoyable learning experience for both dogs and their humans.

Additional details about training programs are available on the business website.

Grooming Services

Professional grooming services are designed to keep pets clean, comfortable and well maintained. From routine maintenance to more detailed breed-specific styling, services are tailored to meet individual needs.

Boarding Services

For owners traveling out of town, Critters Corner offers supervised boarding in a structured, home-like environment. Dogs who are compatible with other animals participate in playtime and socialization. Even on days when the business is closed, the Boltons visit the facility three times daily to walk and care for boarded dogs.

Proof of vaccination is required for boarding services to ensure the safety of all animals.

The current facility can accommodate approximately 15 to 20 dogs at one time. Plans are in place to expand into a larger space in the future to increase boarding capacity.

Reservations can be made online or by phone. Clients receive specific reservation times for drop-off, though flexibility is offered during business hours. The business closes daily for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Membership Options and Community Invitation

Critters Corner offers membership programs designed to provide long-term savings and exclusive benefits. Customers may choose monthly plans or discounted six- and 12-month options. Lifetime memberships are also available and apply to the person rather than the pet, meaning the membership benefits remain in place for as long as the member is living.

Business hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the last training appointment at 6 p.m. and the last grooming appointment at 5 p.m. On Saturdays, the business is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last grooming appointment at 3 p.m. and the last training appointment at 4 p.m.

Critters Corner is located at 1122 West Main Street, Centre, Alabama 35960. The business can be reached at 256-484-3000 and accepts calls and text messages outside of regular hours.

More information is available at www.critters-corner.com and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568765473407

The Boltons encourage residents to visit the new location, learn about their services, and seek guidance if they are experiencing challenges with their pets, emphasizing their desire to help strengthen the bond between owners and their animals throughout Cherokee County.