This will leave only one independent pet store in Bethesda, Westwood Pet Center. That store's future is uncertain once the Westwood Shopping Center is redeveloped. There is no guarantee that current retailers there will be able to A) survive the staging of construction for the new retail center, or B) afford the rents when it is complete.
The Montgomery County Planning Board declined to strengthen language in the Westbard Sector Plan it recently approved for review by the County Council to preserve mom-and-pop stores.
There is a PetSmart at 6800 Wisconsin Avenue in terms of chain stores that serve many types of pets. Bone Jour at 4927-A St. Elmo Avenue offers retail items for dogs and cats, along with its grooming services.
Rumor has it the owners are retiring -- they weren't driven out or anything like that.
ReplyDeleteHow would one write a regulation to require only mom and pop stores?
5:27: That was related to the question of Westbard, not Elm Street. I've also heard this was a retirement decision, not a rent issue.
DeleteHead over and say goodbye to Buddy the Parrot one last time.
ReplyDeleteYet another story written in the "Dyer straits" style of journalism. Fer not, the sky is not falling.
ReplyDeleteA chain pet store would be nice at the row. The mom and pop stores are too expensive and carry too limited brands.
ReplyDeleteMr grandchildren will miss the pet store and it's wonderful parrots, cockatiels, bunnies, gerbils. Sad truth is we rarely bought anything there. Going for a stroll down parrot lane after all-fired-up has been a tradition for the past five years. Glad it is retirement leading them to close. They are welcoming retailers.
ReplyDeleteYea they were very nice!
DeleteI don't believe there was a desire to require mom and pop stores but to require the landlord to give first rights of refusal in the new shopping center to current tenants of the Westwood Shopping Center. At this point, I don't believe that the landlord has been willing to make that commitment in writing
ReplyDeleteWe adored the bethesda pet shoppe and bought our guinea pig and rabbit there. The owners were wonderfully helpful and we found their prices to be the same or lower than other retailers. We will miss this caring community store very much.
ReplyDeleteWe will really miss this lovely community-oriented business. Please join us this Saturday (9 january) at 3:00 pm to wish Kay and Bob all the best. We will have cake and coffee. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI recommend beginning with a pet/hobby house and buying the cheaper pets or relocating your current pets first. lost pet alert
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