New City Rd pet salon answers growing demand in Southbank

The first furry customers did not take long to arrive. ACE Pet Grooming’s opening day on July 13 was fully booked before the salon had even opened its doors.

As tails wagged through the entrance and curious noses explored the newly fitted City Rd premises, owner Samantha Guo watched a dream years in the making come to life.

For Southbank’s growing number of pet owners, the new business fills a longstanding gap in the rapidly developing suburb. While many apartment towers welcome pets, professional grooming services within walking distance have remained limited.

Having lived in Southbank for more than six years, Ms Guo had often noticed residents travelling to neighbouring suburbs for grooming appointments.

“I thought, ‘Why shouldn’t this part of Southbank have a high-quality local salon too?’” she said.

Ms Guo said apartment living created its own grooming needs. Many Southbank pets spend much of their time indoors, making regular grooming an important part of keeping them clean, healthy and comfortable.

Having a trusted salon close to home also makes routine care easier for busy residents.

City Rd resident Sue Williams said she was relieved to have a convenient grooming option for her poodle and her mother’s Persian cat.

She no longer needs to travel to another suburb, with the salon now located directly across from her building.

For Ms Guo, grooming is about more than appearance.

“It’s not just about making pets look beautiful,” she said. “It’s about making sure every animal feels safe, comfortable and genuinely cared for.”

The salon has already received strong demand, with bookings stretching into the following month.

Ms Guo’s journey towards opening the business began with a lifelong love of animals. After studying zoology at the University of Melbourne, she built a career as a marketing manager in the pet industry.

She later decided she wanted to work more closely with the animals she had always loved.

In 2023, she travelled to China to complete professional pet-grooming training before returning to Australia to undertake further courses, combining her scientific knowledge, practical skills and passion for animal care.

The salon caters for both dogs and cats, with trading hours designed around the schedules of local professionals, including Friday and weekend appointments.

Ms Guo also hopes to introduce dog daycare services in the future.