Are We There Yet?

The short version: we’re in the final stretch of the build-out. Walls are up, the floor plan has taken shape, we’re hiring our opening team, finalizing finishes and equipment, and getting the systems and process in place that we’ll need to actually operate this thing.

Our October 11th open house, from 11AM–2PM, is another chance to step inside, see how things are coming together, and get a sneak peek at what’s in store for Zoomies.

You might think that being this close to opening means we’re prancing around the construction site picking out bar stools and counting down the days.

That is not exactly the vibe.

PLOTS TWISTS AHEAD 🎢

The closer we get, the more it feels like there are a bajillion things that need to come together at exactly the same time. Construction has made a TON of progress, and it’s been SUPER neat to watch the floor plan take shape. But it has also brought plenty of surprises: vendors fall through, inspections get delayed, and something you thought was settled three months ago suddenly becomes unsettled. You solve one problem and another one pops up wearing a little party hat, blowing a kazoo.

Some surprises have been minor. Others have forced us to rethink plans and adjust timelines. Ultimately, though, none of them have fundamentally changed what we’re building.

Because you – and your dogs – are counting on us to deliver this vision.

Some of you have been following Zoomies for years. Some of you have watched this idea go from a dream to a construction site. And some of you are patiently waiting for the day you can finally bring your dog through the doors.

We don’t take any of that lightly.

So we keep putting one foot in front of the other, solving the problem in front of us and celebrating the wins when they come. Zoom out far enough, and all that zigging and zagging becomes a straight line toward opening day.

ZOOMIES IS BECOMING VERY REAL ✨

We’re hiring our opening team, finalizing finishes and furniture (okay so there has been a little bit of prancing and picking out bar stools), getting equipment in place, setting up software, building policies and procedures, answering what feels like hundreds of questions from future members, and working through the very long list of things required to actually open the doors.

There are days when it feels exhilarating. There are days when it feels terrifying. Most days, it’s a little bit of both.

Seven years ago, Zoomies was an idea I couldn’t stop thinking about. Two years ago, I left my job to actually build it. Today, I can walk through the space and see where dogs will run, where people will chill, where our team will work, and where a community that doesn’t exist yet is about to exist.

And that is PRETTY DAMN COOL IF YOU ASK ME.

SO… WHEN IS ZOOMIES OPENING🚪

Right now, we’re working toward a mid-November opening.

That’s the goal our team and contractors are pushing hard toward, but we’re not ready to put an exact date on the calendar quite yet. We’re close—genuinely close—but there are still several things that have to come together, including finishing construction, inspections and licensing, hiring, and getting all of our operational systems ready.

Some of those pieces are within our control, and some aren’t. So rather than give you a date we may have to change, we want to be transparent about what we’re working toward and wait to announce opening day until we have enough certainty to stand behind it.

So: mid-November is the goal. As soon as we know the date, you’ll be among the first to hear it.

What I can tell you is that the finish line is very much in sight, and the entire Zoomies team is working toward it every day.

THE PRESALE CLOCK IS TICKING ⏰

We’re getting closer to the opening, which means our Early Bird presale won’t be around much longer.

Once we open the doors, Early Bird pricing goes away — and our Founding and Lifetime Memberships disappear completely. They’re available during presale-only.

And we’re sending presale out with a bang: four lucky members will win a major membership upgrade. At the end of the presale, we’ll choose one winner from each tier:

◦ One Month Pass holder → wins an Annual Pass

◦ Annual Pass holder → wins a Founding Membership

◦ Founding Member → wins a Lifetime Membership

◦ Lifetime Member → wins double pet service credits + naming rights to something on the Zoomies menu

So signing up for a One Month Pass could turn into an entire year at Zoomies. An Annual Pass could turn you into a Founding Member. And one Founding Member is walking away with a Lifetime Membership.

If you already know you want to be part of Zoomies, now is the time to lock in Early Bird pricing — and maybe get very, very lucky while you’re at it.

Worth noting too that your membership won’t begin until your first visit after we open, and you’ll have up to one year from our opening date to make that first visit.

NOW WHAT? 👉

Need a little more convincing before you buy? Come snoop around our building.

We have several upcoming open houses where you can walk the space, see the progress in person, ask questions, and get a better sense of what Zoomies is becoming:

No RSVP needed! We just ask that you leave your pups at home since the construction site is particularly messy right now.

Already planning to join us? Get your pup ready.

This month, we’ll start collecting the information we need to get you and your pup ready for your first visit, including veterinary records and dog profile(s).

If your dog’s vaccinations are overdue, now is a good time to schedule a vet visit and get everything up to date. Taking care of it now will help make things smoother when we’re ready to welcome you through the doors.

Want to get in on the action?

Membership isn’t the only way to support Zoomies. We’re also talking with people who are interested in making a financial investment and becoming part of what we’re building. Curious what that could look like? We’d love to tell you more.

THANK YOU 🫶

Building Zoomies has pushed me WAY outside of my comfort zone and truthfully has been harder than I ever could have imagined. It’s also been incredibly rewarding, and much of that is because of you.

Every membership purchased before we opened. Every friend you told. Every post you shared. Every question you asked. Every bit of enthusiasm you’ve sent our way before there was even a finished place to walk into.

You’ve made me more certain than ever that Chicago needs this place.

We’re so close.

See you soon,

Devon
Founder, Zoomies