Ortonville- Brian Mills got started in the pet business 10 years ago, opening a Pet Supplies ‘Plus? in Lapeer with business parter Frank Arcori, followed by another PSP in Romeo in 2002, and then one in Farmington Hills and another in Rochester Hills in 2003.
Within the next 10 days, he will open his latest Pet Supplies ‘Plus? store, at 22 N. Ortonville Road.
‘I know the area well and it needed a full-line pet store,? said Mills, a Davison resident. ‘I like small communities and feel that is where the growth is for pet supply stores. Everyone has been welcoming… People love their pets.?
The first Pet Supplies ‘Plus? store opened in Redford in 1988. There are now more than 220 franchise stores in 20 states.
The new store, which welcomes pets, is 9200 square feet and will carry over 10,000 items, including a large variety of cat and dog food, crates, cat litter, dog biscuits, treats, bird and reptile cages, fish tanks and set-ups, pet toys, collars and leashes, dishes, and wild bird seed and bird feeders.
‘We get new products constantly,? said Mills. ‘We try to keep updated, we’re always looking for new things.?
Mills calls it ‘amazing? how the pet business has exploded, saying they have everything for the pampered pet, including dog toys like those for children, a full line of cat furniture, salt for melting ice that is safe for paws, pet clothing, and a whole line of holistic pet food.
The store is not stocking horse products, but they can be special ordered. Special ordering is something the store’s staff prides themselves on.
‘We are very customer-oriented,? Mills said. ‘We’re a franchise, but individually owned. There’s no big box feel, we’ve turned into the local pet store.?
Pet Supplies ‘Plus? does not have dogs and cats for sale, but does carry a wide variety of small animals such as gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, rabbits and ferrets (which he will become licensed for), hermit crabs, snakes, rats and mice; tropical fish; lizards including bearded dragons and chameleons; and birds such as cockatiels, parakeets, canaries, lovebirds, and finches. He will special order others, including parrots, and tarantulas (one of which he recently held for the first time, squirming while doing so).
‘You name it, we can get it,? Mills said, adding that the store is very competitive on pricing and offers double coupons up to 50 cents, as well as price matching with an ad or receipt.
Pet rescue groups will also hold cat and dog adoptions frequently at the store.
Mills is looking forward to community involvement and helping with various festivals, events, and local fundraisers.
Pet Supplies ‘Plus? will have many events of their own, including Santa and Easter bunny pictures with pets, a photographer for professional photos, fat cat contest, pet fashion show and Mills? favorite? a Halloween party, where owners bring their animals dressed-up. Prizes ranging from $25-$100 gift certificates are given in nine categories, including scariest, funniest, cutest, ugliest, most unusual, and best pet trick. Animals that have attended in the past include llamas, goats, chickens, ducks, and even monkeys.
Mills is planning on having micro-chipping offered at the store, where a chip the size of a grain of rice is placed painlessly in the back of a dog or cat’s neck. If the animal becomes lost and ends up at a shelter, the staff can scan the animal and read the chip, enabling them to find the owner.
Mills says the pet business is a fun one to be in and one he wouldn’t change for anything.
‘It’s rewarding,? he said. ‘It’s fun to watch the pets when they pull into the parking lot and everyone is so proud of their pets. It’s enjoyable to be a part of. I’m looking forward to getting involved in the community and getting to know everyone.?