My store's progress

[uberpets]

Well, I am coming right along. My ideal would be to own a building with the store in the downstairs and my home upstairs. The commute would be great! Seriously, that way I would be close to the pets all the time.
I am focusing on the eastern shore of Md, Del for my permanent location. Anyone from there have any advice? I plan to visit next april and take a closer look.
We wont carry too many animals. Just a few rodents and bunnies and guinea pigs. Hopefully have a seperate room/space for each. Would also like a space for an adoption center on weekends.
My mainstay will be in toys, food and supplies. I have seen some really cool stuff for sale. I want to carry more original accessories and healthier foods and treats. So you can spoil your pets rotten and still keep them healthy
I am working on care sheets and am enrolling in animal care classes. We want to be known for our friendliness and willingness to share our knowledge. And we plan to be extremely knowledgeable. I prefer a small town type setting. But I really want to live on the eastern shore.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[brandy pup]

I can give you some stores to visit in the Atlanta area if your ever out this way. There are a few good speciality pet stores that are pretty good.

[uberpets]

TWO new animal specialty stores have sprung up in the area I want to be in. They seem to only serve dogs and cats...but, still....thats so disheartening. I sooooo wanted to be the first. Now I will have to investigate proximity issues on top of everything else.
Well, neither store appears to offer pets for sale. So, I guess thats a good thing. I was kinda getting away from the live animals idea.
hmmmm....think,think,think

[brandy pup]

Well it is like the newest biggest market. I wouldn't get too discouraged, perhaps one will sell to you when your ready or something. Kudos to you for rethinking the animal selling. I think bringin in various rescues would get you more exposure too.

[uberpets]

thanks for the encouragement. I know there is a huge market. I'm sure I'll find a place in it, somewhere. I dont know if the eastern shore is as 'hip' to animal shelters, or not. But, maybe I can change their view, if not. I know there is a really large dog breeder in the area. I mean, HUGE!! I cant call them a puppy mill, since I havent actually seen it. But, the words come to mind...
I guess I dont have the link to it, but I'll look for it.
Anyway, the big trip is just around the corner. I will make a decision on which coast sometime in May.

[brandy pup]

Oh rescue and shelters are very 'hip' on the east coast. Even the small independant stores have adoptions coming in with great success. Our Petsmarts have rabbit adoptions also.

[uberpets]

Bunny adoptions??? Bunnies are my favorite. I would adopt them all!!! (I'm pathetic!)
My thought processes detoured a sharp left and I have another small business idea. Am going to investigate day care opportunity. What do you think?

[brandy pup]

Human or doggie :)

It's a lot of work and you will have to be able to see signs of animal talk to avoid confrontations and dogs with bad manners. But I think it's a great idea, it's very popular.

[uberpets]

I have done some more research and I'm pretty sure this is the direction I want to go. I can always add to this project, including pet shop type items for sale...or even a full blown pet shop in the future. I am taking animal behavior classes already, so I will just change the focus to dogs. It will fit the bill as far as my wanting to live and work in the same place and I can start out small (with less investment). There seems to be only one here in Phoenix, but I think I will travel to CA and check out some of those. Get ideas and talk to people...