Pond Wiser celebrates grand opening with Business After Hours

The Massillon WestStark Chamber of Commerce held a Business After Hours event Sept. 25 at Pond Wiser Gift and Garden Center, 8499 Cleveland Ave. NW, North Canton, in Lake Township. The event, presented in partnership with the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce, followed Pond Wiser’s Sept. 10 grand opening of its new center.

The business is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Denny and Kathy Ray, who employ three additional staff. Together, they have run Pond Wiser for 34 years. The company specializes in the design and maintenance of ornamental ponds and lake services, including fountain and aeration system sales and rim rocking. Licensed through the Ohio Department of Agriculture, they also provide weed and algae control for large ponds and lakes.

For do-it-yourselfers, Pond Wiser carries chemicals and products for pond and lake maintenance, offering advice to ensure customers use them correctly. Goose control is another service, provided not by people but by Bill, the Rays’ dog, who has taken over the task from Vic, now retired.

The retail arm of the business, The Frog Shop, offers pond supplies and an eclectic mix of goods, including gifts, dog food, honey from Tuscarawas County, spices from Louisiana and their own Lily’s Passion coffee brand. The beans are sourced globally but roasted, ground and bagged in Northeast Ohio. Most products are manufactured in the United States.

Kathy’s career began in real estate. She later served as program director for a health club and wellness center and worked for PSA Airlines at Akron-Canton Airport before joining Denny in developing Pond Wiser.

Denny, once a commercial artist, built his first ornamental pond at their Jackson Township home in 1989. Its success inspired him to design and install ponds for others. Since then, Pond Wiser has expanded its capabilities to include fountains, bubbling rocks, lighting features, and pond-less water features. While they do not handle large pond and lake construction, they consult on projects to ensure they are built and maintained properly.

Seasonal maintenance is also a major part of their business. Services include spring openings in April or May, routine visits in summer months, winterizing in October and November, and even weekly cleanings through mid-December. Currently, Pond Wiser maintains 55 ponds and lakes ranging from a half-acre to 143 acres, along with 100 ornamental ponds.

The company’s technicians work with customers to bring their visions to life, whether designing a backyard water feature or maintaining a sprawling lake. “We haven’t found a water feature yet we couldn’t do,” Denny often tells customers, pointing to their team’s diverse skill set.

For those wanting to learn more, Pond Wiser hosts community events. An upcoming session, “Q&A with Denny Ray,” will be held Oct. 11 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the center. With more than 35 years of experience, Denny will answer questions on pond health, from winterizing and fish care to pump maintenance and cold-weather preparation. Attendees will receive 10% off pond-related products that day.

“There’s always something exciting going on at Pond Wiser,” Kathy said. “Whether you’re a pond enthusiast, foodie, pet lover or just looking for a local event, we’d love to see you.”

The Rays encourage the community to follow their calendar of events, which includes educational workshops, seasonal promotions and family-friendly gatherings.

Pond Wiser is open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. They are closed Sunday through Tuesday but can schedule appointments outside regular hours.

For more information, visit www.pondwiser.com, call 330-833-3764, or find them on Facebook.