By Glenn Hicks

Two P.A. pet stores bowing out

Sep 24, 2018 | 5:35 PM

It’s a dog-eat-dog world in the local pet store sector.

Two of Prince Albert’s well-known outlets for kitties, kibbles and collars, are closing their doors amidst what appears to be intense competition in the market.

paNOW has learned that Petland at Cornerstone will close by mid-October or earlier. It has been marking down stock in recent weeks in an effort to liquidate. The owner of the business, which has been around since Cornerstone first got off the ground, did not respond to calls from paNOW regarding the reasons for their closure.

However, another pet store that is also shutting down said higher taxes and the amount of local retailers in the pet and pet supply market were part of the reason for their decision to move on.

“I’ll be liquidating in the next couple of months,” Les Ervick the owner of Bray’s Pet and Garden Supplies told paNOW. “I’m getting close to retirement age, after being at it for 35 years, and I got an offer on the property and sold it.” He would not say who purchased it but paNOW understands is not another pet store.

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While finding a buyer for his location was his primary reason for getting out of the game, Ervick added there appeared to be a glut of pet stores in the city.

“Oh definitely, you know it spreads out the market pretty thin …yeah, it’s tough sluggin,’” he said.

He added higher taxation had also been a factor. “That’s been a big impact on me ever since they increased by 90 percent or so in 2013 …that’s pretty tough to swallow, “he said.

The Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce couldn’t comment on whether there was an excess of pet stores in the city but executive director Elise Hildebrandt said it is always sad when any stores closed.

As for taxes she said, “they were always a concern and challenge and other business had commented on taxes, but I have also heard comments from across the province.”

Hildebrandt couldn’t comment on whether she thought there was still a need for more pet stores in town or if she would be encouraging prospective investors to look at other areas of retail that were perhaps more in demand. But she said, “that is something that will be asked in a future survey of the chamber membership.”

Meanwhile the developers who own the Cornerstone development said they were sad to see Petland close as it was one of the first retailers to set up shop on the north section almost 14 years ago.

A spokesperson confirmed another retailer was waiting to move into that location once the current lease-holder vacated but they wouldn’t say who. However, they did clarify one thing: it won’t be another pet store.

With files from Teena Monteleone

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow