2009.06.26
PETCO coming to Roanoke
I just learned that a national pet retail chain is headed for Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke. PETCO, a pet supply retailer, has signed a lease for a 12,065 square-foot space beside Kroger on Towers lower level. That's according to Rappaport Cos., a McLean, Va., company that manages Towers.
The San Diego-based PETCO carries pet supplies and offers some services, from dog grooming to vaccinations. Also, these stores typically sell small animals, including hamsters and fish.
All dogs, cats and rabbits are available for adoption only. Lisa Epstein, a spokeswoman for PETCO, told me that it's too early to know if the Roanoke PETCO will have a permanent pet adoption area, which is available at some of the chain's stores.
If you're shopped at a PETCO, let me know how it compares to other pet store chains that we have in the Roanoke Valley, such as PetSmart and Petland.
Also at Towers, you may have noticed some construction work going on at the back end of the former ABC store on the center's lower level.
Apparently, crews are demolishing a small section of this space to improve access to Kroger's loading dock, which is accessible through a tunnel behind the grocery store, according to Rappaport.
I sure hope that cats and dogs they have will be rescues. The fact they said adoption would lead me to think so. I can not stand a store that sells dogs and sometimes cats. I will never see paying hundreds of dollars for a dog just because of it's breed. They are too many great dogs at adoption centers that would make great pets and the fee that you pay is to cover the cost of vaccinations and neuter/spay. I have three dogs and all but one was free and that one I paid the adoption fee. They are all great dogs and do not have the health problems of a pure breed. The only one that does have health problems is my oldest and hers are just from old age. Vet gave her two weeks to live and so far she has made it another 6 weeks.
Other than that I hope they bring some needed competition to Petsmart.
Comment by Mike D — June 26, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
I thought the prices were higher than PetSmart. I did like their treat "mix and match bar" by the pound for rawhide, cookies, etc. Petco had a different selection of food and accessories.
Comment by Adowntownbusiness — June 27, 2009 @ 1:00 am
Good news there............
Now maybe PetSmart will lower their prices
Comment by Meow — June 27, 2009 @ 8:35 am
Here in the NRV, I've found that for many items, the local stores have better prices than Petsmart...like C&P Pets in Christiansburg. They lack the selection by a long shot, but they can beat prices on almost anything they carry in common with Petsmart. Unfortunately, from what I can tell, 2 local pet stores have closed recently: ZooQuatic, and the pet store at the now defunct Central Lumber shopping center in Radford. Toss in the problems with Classy Critters in downtown Radford, and we don't have but the 2 options in Christiansburg, essentially.
Comment by Other John — June 28, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
I used to shop at PetCo in the Twin Cities and always liked it beter than PetSmart. I am not sure if the prices were higher or lower, but the store always seemed cleaner and lighter, making for a better shopping experience. I used to see lots of dead goldfish at the Twin Cities PetSmart, a problem that I haven't noticed at the local Roanoke store as much. It will be much more convenient for me to have PetCo in Towers, as I live in OSW and hate driving all the way out to Valley View just to pick up my diabetic cat's food!
Comment by Emily — June 29, 2009 @ 8:08 am
Hooray! Petco supports shelters and rescues by giving space in their stores to showcase animals in need of homes. Petland sells puppy mill dogs, see an investigation here http://www.humanesociety.org/puppymills.
Comment by Dog Lover — June 30, 2009 @ 8:58 am
Jenny: Any official work on when Petsmart at Valley View is going to reopen after repairs from the arson fire?? Will they be open again by Christmas? Thanks!
Comment by Julie T. — November 20, 2009 @ 11:15 am
OOPS that should have said "word" instead of "work"--sorry!
Comment by Julie T. — November 20, 2009 @ 11:15 am