Bummed..

[Ginevive]

I am bummed tonight. I learned that one of my favorite local pet stores is closing. I got to be friends with the owner and she kept her animals in great conditions, and tried to be competitive. But in the end it was not profitable for her I guess..
Just bummed. How much longer will the fun local pet stores be around? Before Petco and Petsmarts take over.. I don't know. I bought most everything I needed in the way of supplies from her; I guess now I will just buy online (I started doing that anyway.) I know of another cool shop in Buffalo, but the guy who runs it does it as more of a hobby.. so at least I'll have a supplier of live rats for when I need them.. But it was nice to have a little place to pick up a rat and share a story.

[Patrick Long]

not to be rude...but you said it yourself. people are buying online. petco petsmart. it sux. even when i was a kid there were tons of ma and pa shops, but now there are none.

[KiwisHeaven]

I noticed you were from New York, which pet store are you talking about? I know of a couple of good ones here that are also closing.

[DownSouthDragons]

Wow. . .and just to think I'm opening a pet store FRIDAY!!! (Not actually OPENING on friday, but getting the building ready so I can stock it b4 christmas! :p ) Do you think it'll be a good idea? In our area, there are no petco or petsmarts for 50miles each direction, and we're in a growing city. . .so If we open a petstore does that mean petco cant come in and take over because of zoning laws? Hmm. . .just a question. Ours is gonna be more of the "ma and pa" type too, lol. If you're ever in SW Ga. stop in at "Down South Dragons (and other wonders from down under)"

[KiwisHeaven]

Wow. . .and just to think I'm opening a pet store FRIDAY!!! (Not actually OPENING on friday, but getting the building ready so I can stock it b4 christmas! :p ) Do you think it'll be a good idea? In our area, there are no petco or petsmarts for 50miles each direction, and we're in a growing city. . .so If we open a petstore does that mean petco cant come in and take over because of zoning laws? Hmm. . .just a question. Ours is gonna be more of the "ma and pa" type too, lol. If you're ever in SW Ga. stop in at "Down South Dragons (and other wonders from down under)"

I think that since there aren't any petco's or petsmarts around you should do fine, I'm from down south and sometimes Its hard to find a good pet store that offers the right kind of snake food.

[Gooseman]

I think that since there aren't any petco's or petsmarts around you should do fine, I'm from down south and sometimes Its hard to find a good pet store that offers the right kind of snake food.

from the south eh? Not sure what that makes Tx, but whatever floats your boat. lol

but yea, I have only a petco/petsmart to go to... and since I feed live, it means I only have a petco to go to... That's one amazing thing about going home to houston. I know of 2 pretty good stores that have feeders of all ages on demand. It makes things simple when you own several snakes and need several different sized feeders at once.

[KiwisHeaven]

from the south eh? Not sure what that makes Tx, but whatever floats your boat. lol

but yea, I have only a petco/petsmart to go to... and since I feed live, it means I only have a petco to go to... That's one amazing thing about going home to houston. I know of 2 pretty good stores that have feeders of all ages on demand. It makes things simple when you own several snakes and need several different sized feeders at once.

yes...I'm a South Carolina girl, I may not be deep south but I'm still from the south . We have trouble finding feeders for my snakes up here...one eats rabbits and the only way we could get them was a pet store for 30 dollars, which was rough.

[python.princess]

yes...I'm a South Carolina girl, I may not be deep south but I'm still from the south . We have trouble finding feeders for my snakes up here...one eats rabbits and the only way we could get them was a pet store for 30 dollars, which was rough.

try finding someone who breeds show rabbits. one of my friends has a breeder that'll sell the 'unworthy' rabbits to him for snake food. just a thought...

[syearout]

I too have a good friend who owns a small privately owned petshop here in Derby, KS. His strategy is just to stay specialized enough that Petsmart and Petco can't really complete. If you are the only place around to get most of the things you sell alot of, then you don't have to fight the big guys. It also doesn't hurt that Wichita has an ordnance against selling pythons, and he's 5min south of Wichita. Plus him and his guys, and girl, are so knowledgeable, and personable its hard not to become a loyal customer. On the stuff that you could get at the bigger places he stays pretty competitive too.

[Laooda]

I too have a good friend who owns a small privately owned petshop here in Derby, KS. His strategy is just to stay specialized enough that Petsmart and Petco can't really complete. If you are the only place around to get most of the things you sell alot of, then you don't have to fight the big guys. It also doesn't hurt that Wichita has an ordnance against selling pythons, and he's 5min south of Wichita. Plus him and his guys, and girl, are so knowledgeable, and personable its hard not to become a loyal customer. On the stuff that you could get at the bigger places he stays pretty competitive too.

You nailed it. These days, a store hast to have a specific service, or be a speciality store to survive... This saddens me, I practically grew up working in a mom and pop, and then worked in the "pet industry" after that...


Down South: just remember that PetCo's Smarts, PetLands, ETC will run schematics on areas, so if your town is up and coming... then there is a good chance that one of the Box chains will have an eye on the location. My best advice, be original with an educated staff... that will be your best defence. Because, unfourtantly, you can't beat a Box Chain's prices. Just sad truth...