Off the Tracks Grooming and More now in Gonvick

By Michelle Sundquist

“Off The Tracks Grooming and More” had their Open House on Friday, July 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m in a new location. There you could meet Lexie and Amanda to learn more about them and the business.

Lexie Lofgren is the owner and operator of the recently opened “Off The Tracks Grooming and More” right in Gonvick. It is located next to the elevator in the shop upstairs shared with North Central Feed Products. “Off The Tracks” is a full service grooming shop with retail as well. They sell dog food, treats, leashes, collars, personalized tags and so much more. Lexie is also the owner of “Off The Tracks Grooming” near Leonard. She has worked in and out of vet clinics since high school. “I first started right here, and I am very happy to be back,” Lexie stated, “It is not  new but definitely not unfamiliar.”. Lexie is originally from Battle Lake, MN and has been a certified groomer since 2006. She now lives near Leonard with her husband CJ Lofgren and her son Cooper. 

Lexie has a full-time assistant who has been working on and off for her since 11th grade, Amanda Hoffman. Amanda is Lexie’s right-hand woman. She does organization, marketing, bathing and brushing dogs, courtesy calls, makes homemade dog treats and so much more. Amanda grew up in Debs and graduated in 2013 from Clearbrook/Gonvick and she currently lives in Pinewood. She went on to The University of Minnesota Crookston where she graduated with a major in Natural Resources and a minor in Animal Science. She has previously worked at a thrift store, for Enterprise, and with making sure people keep invasive species from spreading. Those just weren’t her cup of tea, she has always wanted to work with animals so when Lexie called her in mid-May and asked her if she wanted to be full-time she didn’t pass up the offer.

Amanda has an emotional support dog named Shasta. Shasta is a miniature Australian Shepherd who is soon turning 12 years old. Amanda also has two other dogs, 3 horses and a recently purchased donkey and not to mention two kittens that she is currently bottle feeding. “I like to rescue animals, especially baby animals.” Amanda said. She has hobbies of riding horse, ranching, and she likes to draw. Some of her artistic skills are around the shop. 

“Off The Tracks Grooming and More” will be having obedience classes as well. There will be 4 classes coming up in the fall and they do them right in their shop. Lexie hopes to expand her business as time goes on. If you would like an appointment or just to learn more about their services, feel free to call them at 218-487-2207. Off The Tracks is Open Monday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  They accept pets of all shapes and sizes and it is very important to them to make sure their clients feel comfortable bringing their pets to Off The Tracks.