Animal Food Warehouse expands

MAT-SU -- Animal Food Warehouse plans to open two new stores; one near the Wasilla Fred Meyer and one located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, 2.6 miles outside of Palmer.

The company's expansion comes after Harley Davidson of Alaska bought the building the current store is located in. Groundbreaking for both new stores occurred earlier this month, and both are scheduled to open in September. Animal Food Warehouse first expanded in June 2001 when it opened PetZoo in Anchorage. Co-owners Larry Tallman and Tim Sonnentag will now open a PetZoo on a one-acre lot of lakefront property on Wasilla Lake. The 11,000 square-foot store will be almost three times the size of the company's current location, and will have a live pet selection with small animals, reptiles, fish and birds.

"We have chosen not to sell dogs and cats, but we'll be working with local adoption agencies to help match orphaned animals with new owners," Tallman said.

The second store will also be a distribution center for the company. Located on 10 acres of property, the store, operating as Animal Food Warehouse, will be 4,000 square feet, and the distribution center will total more than 22,000 square feet. Animal Food Warehouse will continue to be a pet supply store, and will carry pet, livestock, horse and mushing supplies. The facility will feature Alaska's first drive-through loading area, and will include a 10,000 bale hay and straw storage facility.

"Future plans call for the possibility of a club meeting room, vet clinic and an indoor riding facility on site," Tallman said. "The demand for premium pet products and services is incredibly strong, and we are happy to be involved in the growing Valley economy." The current store, located at Mile 37.8 Parks Highway, will close once the new stores are opened, said Animal Food Warehouse public relations spokesperson Michelle Delaney.

"We are renting from the new owners now," said Delaney in a recent phone interview. "It will remain open until the new stores are up and running."