Local pet business expands

WASILLA -- One of Animal Food Warehouse's newest additions to the Valley is ready and open for business in Wasilla.

Petzoo, operated by Animal Food Warehouse, a locally owned and operated company, opened its doors for the first time Aug. 25.

"Some people here in the Valley are confused about our new store. They think it's one of those big chain franchises," said Michelle Delaney, the warehouse's public relations consultant, "We want people to know that we are Animal Food Warehouse, that we have been doing business in the Valley for 17 years and that we are here to provide better services for our customers."

Located on more than one acre of lakefront property on the Wasilla Fred Meyer corner, the new Petzoo is a pet retail complex.

The 11,000-square-foot store is nearly three times the size of the company's current retail space in the Valley. This store carries everything from novelty items, toys and pet products to a live pet section, 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," said Larry Tallman, a co-owner of Animal Food Warehouse.

Animal Food Warehouse's second store, which should be opening sometime in the next two weeks, will be situated with the new distribution center for the company and will be located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, 2.5 miles from Palmer.

This store will be a 4,000-square-foot facility, with the distribution center totaling more than 22,000 square feet.

The entire complex will be located on 10 acres of property.

The Palmer store, operating as Animal Food Warehouse, will be a pet supply store that will carry pet, livestock, horse and mushing supplies. The facility will feature a drive-through loading area, and include a 10,000-bale hay and straw storage facility, according to the store's press release.

A grand opening for the new Animal Food Warehouse, near Palmer, is scheduled for Sept. 18. For more information about the Animal Food Warehouse or Petzoo, call 357-3663.

Contact Michael White at mike.white@frontiersman.com.