Supermarket owner sees need for pet store in Fayette County
Tom Jamieson is well on his way to becoming a food mogul – for people and their pets. The South Union Township supermarket owner recently opened Pet Supplies “Plus,’ a franchise store that provides a multitude of brand-name pet foods and other products, ranging from leashes and collars to training littler for cats.
The store, located in Jamieson’s Walnut Hill Shop ‘n Save Plaza in South Union Township, has 18 full-and part-time employees.
Josh Volek of Smithfield is manager.
While the shop does not sell cats or dogs, it has a supply of what Jamieson called “livestock’ animals: fish, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, parakeets, dwarf rabbits and others.
Jamieson added that none of the major pet stores sell dogs or cats.
“I think it’s because of some of the negative publicity you see about some kennels. But we will host an adopt-a-pet event every month in conjunction with the humane society.’
However, one feature of the store is that dog and cat owners can bring their pets into the store while they shop.
“We want to make this store as pet-friendly as we can,’ he said.
“We have been working on this for about two years,’ Jamieson said, adding that he did market studies to see if a pet store would be profitable in Fayette County.
“I found that it is right on the borderline of saying we will support a pet store or not.’
However, he sees a bright future for the franchise. Jamieson explained baby boomers are more likely to own pets and “consider them to be family members. It’s estimated the pet business will double within the next 10 years.’
He is already planning to expand, doubling the size of the small animal center. “We will add saltwater fish and put in a petting station for kids. We are also putting in a dog wash where we will have all the equipment people need to bathe and dry their pets.’
Jamieson, in his early 50s, has been in the supermarket business since his teens when he helped his father, Bob, a meat cutter. Adding the pet store to his grocery business may appear that he is competing with himself. He sells pet food and some supplies in his 24 Shop ‘n Save and Save-A-Lot markets.
“I was surprised that it hasn’t turned out that way. We only carry about 10 percent of the products available in the supermarkets. There are some products that companies won’t let you sell in a supermarket.’
The shelves in the 8,700-square-foot store hold visible proof. There are literally dozens of different brands of regular and natural pet food products. Brands include Science Diet, Eukanuba, Nutro Max, Friskies, Pedigree, Eagle Pack, Natural Balance, Merrick, Wellness and Iams.
According to Pet Supplies “Plus,” its stores carry more than 10,000 different items. “You’ll find just about everything your pet can eat, sleep on, be groomed by, play with or wear at PSP.’
Jamieson has been saving space in his shopping plaza for the store. But it took more than nine months to get approval and go through all the necessary training with Pet Supplies “Plus,’ he said. “I have learned a lot about this business.
“But once we got the approval it took us six weeks to build out the store and open it. They have 225 stores and want to locate another 50 this year. The Pittsburgh market is locked up. There are seven stores there now. But we are looking at the area north of Pittsburgh and will be talking more to the Pet Supplies Plus people.’
Jamieson, a dog owner himself (“I don’t think I could have four daughters without having a dog.’) opened the store to fill what he saw as a need in Fayette County.
“There is no national pet store in Fayette County. We worked on this for a long time. It took them (Pet Supplies Plus) nine months to approve me.
“There are three major national pet stores: PetCo, Pet Smart and Pet Supplies “Plus.’ They (Pet Supplies “Plus’) are the only ones offering franchises.
“Now, people don’t have to go to Greensburg, Washington or Morgantown,’ he said. As if on cue, customers Donna and Marie Czyrwus turned a corner in the store where they met Jamieson. He asked if they were finding everything they needed.
“This is nice; we don’t have to go to Morgantown anymore,’ Donna said. “It’s so convenient.’
She was pleased she found the brand pet food for her 18-year-old shitzsu. “I think he has lived that long because of that food.’
Jamieson asked early customers for suggestions on products he could carry.
“One of the biggest things we heard was that people want us to carry dog clothes.’
Pet Supplies “Plus’ is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Telephone is 724-437-7538.