When Janice Matson opened The Pet Resort on Airport Road a few years ago, she was already a 20-year veteran of the grooming business. The trained, professional groomer had a reputation for loving each pet left in her care, and making the owners feel like family.

When Matson was killed over a month ago in a tragic car accident, the business she had poured her heart into was closed.

A few weeks ago, one of her daughters, Melissa Fox, made the heartwrenching decision to reopen the store where she worked alongside her mother.

“After a month of grieving, I decided to reopen because I know that’s what she would have wanted,” Fox said.

Fox wasn’t the only one who returned to the shop. Seeing the business open, many of Matson’s loyal clients returned to the salon.

“The majority of the customers have been faithful,” Fox said. “She started out with nothing and built her business on loyal customers. They have been very faithful to return to our shop.”

The grooming, bathing and boarding staff are also still the same faces.

“The staff that was with us when my mother was here is still the same,” Fox said. “My mother is still here too, just in spirit now.”

Matson’s husband, Roy, is also still a part of the business, performing maintenance and making sure the blades in the shop stay sharp.

“He has really backed me in this,” Fox said.

Fox decided to rename the business upon reopening. After her mother’s death, she found herself back in church and decided that Heavenly Pets was a fitting name to honor her mother.

Matson’s other daughter, Dara Madison, operates the Sumiton Pet Spa. Both stores will remain open.

Heavenly Pets is located on Airport Road and can be reached for grooming of boarding services at 221-4491. Sumiton Pet Spa is located on Hull Road and can be reached at 648-9699.