Pet Pantry Plus brings discount goods to Cadott
A new business in Cadott, could make your best friend do the happy dance, at least if your best friend is furry and has four legs.
Pet Pantry Plus opened for business Feb. 1. The business, located at 119 E. Chippewa Street, offers a variety of dog and cat food, treats, supplies and toys at discount prices.
Owner Erika Nowobielski says the idea for a store came about, when she found a source where she could buy a pallet of pet food at a time.
“I have a number of dogs and it gets expensive to feed,” said Nowobielski.
She says friends began asking about buying some of the
Erika Nowobielski started Pet Pantry Plus, after finding a way to purchase bulk dog food for her own pets. Nowobielski buys from affordable sources to keep customer costs low, so some of the goods come in dented packaging or are nearing their best-by-date.
pet food from her. Soon, her friends asked her to consider opening a store. No remodeling was needed on the building prior to the shop’s opening, but Nowobielski says they did add a counter and shelving.
Since Pet Pantry Plus strives to give customers discount prices, Nowobielski says they have to take on some closedated or outdated items, but says she does try to keep more in-date products than not, in stock.
“Some of our stuff has been damaged, some of the cans are dented,” said Nowobielski, adding other products have no packaging issues.
Nowobielski says she tries to buy food in bulk, so owners don’t have to keep changing what they feed and is working to find additional suppliers who offer affordable prices for the store.
“I think that’s going to be an ongoing challenge with doing something like this,” said Nowobielski. “There are a lot of sources out there, but the prices are high.”
She says some people have been skeptical of the venture, pointing out the feed mill and dollar store sell some pet supplies, as well. Even so, Nowobielski says she doesn’t feel threatened by the other businesses.
“We’re doing our own thing,” said Nowobielski.
Nowobielski says she is even open to expanding the pets her store caters to, pending finding affordable suppliers. Rodent and domestic bird feed have been the most requested items so far.
“If I find the right stuff at the right price, I definitely will (carry them),” said Nowobielski.
For now, there are some miscellaneous items for pets other than cats and dogs available for purchase. Nowobielski says she sometimes buys bins of goods at auctions and what lays beneath the top layer of items is often a mystery.
“It’s kind of fun,” said Nowobielski. “It’s almost like Christmas when you get some of those in and get to see what is all in them.”
Another fun thing, is the business has allowed Nowobielski to talk with other dog owners and for them to share their dog knowledge with each other. Dogs are also allowed to stop in the store, if they are well-behaved and don’t mark.
Nowobielski says she is thankful for the support she has gotten from the community and surrounding areas so far.
“We’ve gotten some pretty good feedback,” said Nowobielski. “It seems like everybody from the town is really happy that we’re here.”
Store hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays, 12:30 -6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those with questions or who would like more information, can call the Pet Pantry at 715-289-3334.
