American Dog reopens in Moline following strip mall fire

MOLINE, Ill. — American Dog reopened Monday, Feb. 24, exactly one month after a fire damaged several businesses in a Moline strip mall. 

The devastating fire broke out at the Get Pro Tech shop in Moline’s Old Towne neighborhood on Jan. 24. 

Longtime American Dog employee Christy Crouch said the firewalls protected the storefront from the flames, but the business didn't escape the fire unscathed. 

“We had four feet of water in our basement, so our water heater, our furnace, our washer and dryer, and plus electrical was affected,” Crouch said. 

The shop has been closed since. 

While the storefront underwent repairs, American Dog staff got a helping hand from Chique Grooming Salon and Teske Pet and Garden in Moline. Both businesses allowed the groomers to continue their work there.  

Crouch said the whole staff is thankful for the help, but they have all missed working in their own space. 

“It was very devastating for us,” Crouch said. “We all wanted to remain together. That was our main goal. Our main goal was to come back to our same original location and continue to work together. So, it was very sad that we all had to kind of be split up.” 

Crouch said American Dog was fully booked on Monday, with 20 to 30 dogs scheduled to be groomed. 

“We're getting clients scheduled, so we definitely have a full week ahead of us,” Crouch said. 

Moline Fire Marshal Mitch Cunningham said the exact cause of the fire is still undetermined.