I was impressed by the response of Ashland merchants to a request by Ashland Main Street board members asking business owners and tenants to clear their own sidewalks and storefront areas of snow and ice. The cleanup didn’t happen everywhere, but there was a noticeable improvement within hours of that story hitting the press.

I will say, anyone who wonders if the effort was worth it should have heard a comment by a visitor to the city Thursday who said, “You can tell which businesses care and which ones don’t.”

At the pet shop

Jeff Ducote at Petopia on Holt Street (near Waldo’s Barber Shop on 29th Street) in Ashland reports he has recently completed a nocturnal animal section at the shop, illuminated by ultra-violet “night glow” lighting. The nocturnal animals offered include hedgehogs, sugar gliders as well as Tokay geckos and Leopard geckos.

Ducote said they are also in the final phases of installing a collection of aquariums at the shop and hope to offer fish for sale within a couple of weeks. They plan to stock cichlids and other varieties in the freshwater tanks, and develop a “small section” of saltwater tanks as well.

And, if your dog needs grooming, the family-owned and operated shop receives high marks from several people I’ve spoken to. Petopia is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (606) 327-5570.

Dual personality

I had a great conversation with Greg Campbell of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s Restaurant and Showplace at 611 Fourth Ave. in Huntington. Campbell, who owns the place along with his wife, Jammie, and cousin Christian Morrison, explained the combination upscale restaurant and “buck wild party place” is closed at the moment, but will have a grand opening on St. Patrick’s Day, complete with a resident leprechaun.

Campbell said the business has “an incredible chef” with Vegas-experienced Jkalal “J.R.” Assar for the Dr. Jekyll or restaurant side. Assar plans to make American cuisine with an eclectic French flair. “He likes to call it a French bistro twist,” Campbell said. Ongoing renovations include installation of a complete kitchen, he noted.

On the Mr. Hyde side, the business has six bars along with a large new stage for national acts as well as smaller stage for local performers and smaller events. There is also an “ultra-plush VIP lounge,” and the owners plan to construct a huge outdoor patio. The establishment also offers free limo service to and from the bar for groups of six or more.

“We’ve got a crazy, crazy list of concerts,” Campbell added, explaining the entertainment will range from old-time rock and roll to wrestling and everything in between.

For more information, visit their Web site at www.drjekyllandmrhyde.com (they will also be providing a text service to patrons advising of events and offering discounts on food and beverages. For more information, call (304) 522-4933 (HYDE).

Good reports

If you’re a fan of barbecue and happen to be going to or through Prestonsburg, I’ve heard great things about Pig In A Poke.

One friend (who has a tremendous track record for spotting good places to eat or enjoy a beverage) compared the restaurant at 314 University Drive to the long-gone but often remembered original location of Sam n’ Tonios at the old Plantation Motel near Prestonsburg. Oddly enough, I’m pretty certain that’s where the barbecue restaurant was initially established before moving into the more metropolitan location near the community college.

“The food is fantastic,” he said, adding the owners are “very nice, good people.”

The second floor of the business was recently opened as a bar/restaurant, he said, and service is first come-first served.

“When it’s crowded that can get a bit testy,” he said, describing an interesting race for a table during his most recent visit. For more information, call (606) 889-9119.

Bank changing

As of Monday, former National City bank branches in Kentucky and southern Indiana will be doing business as PNC Bank.

Eddy Barber, PNC executive vice president of retail banking for this region, said the transition will provide former National City customers with services from one of the nation’s strongest banking institutions.

“We bring the resources of the nation’s fifth-largest bank to customers, while maintaining local decision-making and an ongoing community focus. We’ve been a leader in this community, and now that we’re PNC we’re even stronger,” Barber said.

After hours

Ashland Alliance members and their guests have what sounds like an excellent Business After Hours event coming up from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Pendleton Art Center on Winchester Avenue in downtown Ashland.

Catering will be by Olive Tree Cafe, with beverages from CCC Trail Vineyard and atmosphere by “a host of regional artists.” For more information or to R.S.V.P. for the event, call (606) 327-1915.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.