| Author | Message | ||
     jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 63 Registered: 6-2005 |
Does anyone know why NJ Pets is now Pro Pets? And why they couldn't have gotten the same typreface for "Pro" as "Pets" in that awful "in your face" sign? This is just another example of a business which just doesn't care enough to make the place attractive. I think that building is just another eyesore in the village. I feel they could tone it down a bit, and still get shoppers...maybe even more shoppers. | ||
| composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 357 Registered: 8-2004  |
to be honest, I think they need to start fixing things from the inside out. I've only been there three times, but each time is was dirty, poorly organized, and out-of-stock on common things (such as fish food!). Plus, the service stinks. I've learned to go elsewhere. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2324 Registered: 9-2003 |
composerjohn - I've never found it that way. We go there regularly and they always have what I'm looking for and the staff for the most part, have been extremely helpful and knowledgeable of the products they sell. | ||
| Duder Citizen Username: El_duderino Post Number: 724 Registered: 2-2004  |
I agree, Soorlady. After about two times trying that big pet store on 22 thinking they'll have everything I need but didn't -- and getting no help there, either -- I now go straight to NJ Pets. Always helpful and knowledgeable. And someone there always takes a moment to let my three-year-old pet the bunnies. | ||
| composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 359 Registered: 8-2004 |
are you talking about the one on Valley? The NJPets on Route 10 is great. Hmm... maybe I should try the Valley Street store again. | ||
| Josh Holtz Citizen Username: Jholtz Post Number: 37 Registered: 4-2004 |
The guy who bought the store is extremely nice and helpful. We also found him extremely knowledgeable on new diets for dogs - as we just brought home a puppy recently. While the store could use a good cleaning I think he is a dedicated store owner and good for the town. | ||
| Nonymous Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8143 Registered: 1-2003  |
I liked this place before it changed ownership, and I still like it. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 696 Registered: 11-2001  |
I still shop there and will continue to. The new owner is very dedicated to his new venture and the staff directed me to a new cat food that is better for our guys AND the cats lost weight. Which is something that I have been trying to do for years. Instead of shopping out of town, why now shop locally? We all want local business to thrive and for them to do so we need to support them or else they go out of business. If they don't have what you want, ask. I'm sure most local business would like any feedback they get. And it makes them better and then more people shop there. Its the ripple effect. | ||
| Nonymous Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8145 Registered: 1-2003 |
They have good hours, too. They are open until 8pm, and I think that's seven days a week. The guy who runs the shop in Maplewood seems very nice and knowledgeable, but I've only managed to get there once. Pro Pets is open when I need them, so they get 95% of my business. | ||
| eliz Supporter Username: Eliz Post Number: 1124 Registered: 5-2001 |
I really like this pet store - they are very nice and easy to deal with and they are good with kids. If it's not busy the staff always offers to let my daughter hold or pet the bunnies. | ||
| AntoninaKC Citizen Username: Antoninakc Post Number: 46 Registered: 5-2005  |
I always shop there for my rabbit, they have a much bigger selection of bunny treats and vitamins than superstores like petco or petsmart. the other day, I overheard an employee tell another customer that the only difference between pro-pets and nj pets is that they now carry 'high class dog and cat food'.. and yes, I think they could have matched the old lettering with the new on the sign outside and tone down some of the window painting for a while. | ||
| SO1969 Citizen Username: Bklyn1969 Post Number: 68 Registered: 7-2004 |
Going back to the original post, I think the new "pro" sign looks better than the "NJ" sign. I don't see a pet store as something that makes a lot of bucks, so I thought they did a good job recycling the existing signage. Just another view. p.s. In a aesthetically perfect world that building wouldn't exist at all, but it looks, in my opinion, as good or better with the "pro" sign. Was encouraged to see they found a downstairs tenant as well - a beauty salon. Good luck to both new owners/businesses. | ||
| Mergele Citizen Username: Mergele Post Number: 323 Registered: 7-2003  |
To the original question - wasn't there a thread around here within the last month or so (maybe originated by the new owner?) talking about the fact that the NJ Pets people sold that location? That store has been a serious disappointment to me ever since moving to SO... Being owned by more critters than I generally admit to in public, I would love to be able to support a local pet supply place. Unfortunately I can never park there, making it impossible to haul home my usual voluminous purchases, and on the rare occasion that I do land a parking space, it's just about impossible to get out of that driveway with the way it dumps you practically into the intersection. Then, if I do brave the parking nightmare, they never have what I went in for in the first place. So I trek to the PetSmart on 22 once a month or so, get everything I need in one trip and have no trouble parking. | ||
| mtierney Citizen Username: Mtierney Post Number: 846 Registered: 3-2001 |
I never minded the parking, building, cranky staff, etc. etc. when it housed The Chicken Nest!  | ||
| Montrose13 Citizen Username: Montrose13 Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2004 |
The staff here is always helpful and polite--when it was NJ Pets and now as Pro Pets. Prices are the same as the store on Route 10. I have shopped here for years. Sometimes I park across the street and I am always helped carrying my many purchases to the car. Or sometimes I wait a moment or two for a spot--it is faster than schlepping out on Route 10. Besides like others postimg here I shop locally as much as possible... | ||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2005 |
Since its no longer NJ Pets, and there are new owners, it would pay for them to improve the place. For a start, how about removing those painted animal figures on the windows, sprucing up the landscaping and parking lot, doing something not to pile up merchandise in the windows. That's what stock rooms are for. Its not a great building, but it doesn't have to look so miserable, does it? I, too, would rather shop locally than trekking out to the highway, but, I don't like to shop in a place where the help is not helpful, the parking is difficult and the place looks crumby. The new owner may have been better off opening a pet supply business in the Midas location. (Who knows if we'll ever see a deli!) There must have been a reason NJ Pets sold this location. I wonder what it was. Its not that the chain went belly up. They still have other stores. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1640 Registered: 1-2004  |
There's always Maplewood Pet Shop in Maplewood Village. They've been there forever. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 1283 Registered: 8-2002 |
I was in Pro Pets this week. PRetty messy and disorganized inside, no merchendising sense at all (boxes and stock in front of displays, trash cans in front of the animals). Not an attracive place inside. Perhaps its in transition. Did have very nice and helpful service from one person, who also politely asked if I wanted to be on their mailing list (which is a great idea for them!). Wish them well. Pete | ||
| argon_smythe Citizen Username: Argon_smythe Post Number: 605 Registered: 5-2001 |
This is great news, I used to have to order all my propets mail order. How convenient to have a propet store right down the street! | ||
| Montrose13 Citizen Username: Montrose13 Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2004 |
I will suggest that the reason they sold was because this particular location did not conform to NJ Pets business model standards with regard to square footage, volume, #skus, etc. among other standards that "big box" retailers now measure their performance by. | ||
| Alison Citizen Username: Alikoz Post Number: 104 Registered: 8-2002 |
Like Montrose guessed, the reason NJ Pets sold the location is that it did not jive with the direction the franshise is looking to move in. I was the one who posted about the new ownership when they first opened after speaking with the owner. THe thing that really impressed me was that the new owner re-hired the entire staff once NJ Pets sold the location. So all the local folks who worked there kept their jobs. I really like the staff. It may not be an ideal store, but as so many others have noted, it is close and the hours are great. A jumbo-sized pet shop in the middle of SO, complete with a jumbo-sized parking lot, would probably bug people even more, and for good reason. The new owner seems really interested and involved and aims to please. If you have a concern, talk to him. I am sure he'll be responsive. The only thing I did not like about the new ownership is that they really push the high-priced dog food. I already buy a pretty pricey, gourmet brand for my dog because he has wheat allergies, and they tried to push me into an even pricier brand (made with whole peas and carrots!!) as well as a $15 tub of fish oil supplements. I succumbed, thinking "nothing is too good for my dog" but later realized I had been a total sucker! Now, if someone would just take care of that empty gas station across the street... | ||
| snshirsch Citizen Username: Snshirsch Post Number: 366 Registered: 1-2003 |
The site was much better when you could get kugel from the Chicken Nest! | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2350 Registered: 9-2003 |
I don't think the Board of Health would agree with you. Toward the end, the Chicken Nest was shut down more than they were open. | ||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 72 Registered: 6-2005 |
I think the new owners are going to have a hard time of it if they don't get their act together...and soon. Independent retailers are having an increasingly harder time competing with the "big box" chains. So they have to be better on a number of counts. Convenient location is only one parameter, and that may not mean that much if they hope to get the volume business. I think they better improve the look of the place significantly (windows, signage, stock placement, etc.)and offer superb service. They are in a awful building to begin with, so it will take some effort to overcome that. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 927 Registered: 9-2004 |
jayjay, PLEEZE! Are you going to boycott them too? Give them a break. They just changed over ownership. In time I'm sure they'll get their "act together" for your aesthetically pleasing eye. | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 251 Registered: 10-2004 |
as far as I can tell by the volume of cars in and out of their little parking area they are doing just fine. as a non pet owner I wish them the best. cant say I like their sign tho... | ||
| kriss Citizen Username: Kriss Post Number: 172 Registered: 6-2001 |
Good grief, it's a pet supply store, not Neiman Marcus. I've shopped there for years, and while I suppose it's not the most attractive building in town, I don't consider it an eyesore. To me the inside is comparable to any small pet store - it's never struck me that it's particularly dirty or disorganized as others have mentioned. The parking is not ideal, but that's a trade-off I am happy to make for being able to drive down the street rather than all the way to Rte. 22. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2077 Registered: 4-2002 |
Kriss: I agree 100% and have been going there for years. | ||
| Nonymous Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8266 Registered: 1-2003 |
There's plenty of parking there and nearby. I only need one space. Some suburbanites astound me with their annoyance at having to walk 30 feet from their cars. I have had to park on the street there once in two years. | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 190 Registered: 10-2003 |
IF you wanted to support a local family who has always been totally great in getting whatever we needed if it was not in stock and who is incredibly knowledgeable about pets, consider going to Maplewood Pet Store and meeting Bill McClure...relly personal service and great hours. | ||
| Joe Krause Citizen Username: Wkrause3 Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2005 |
This pet store has always had every Rabbit product I could ever want. The parking is wonderful I wish Pro Pets all the luck. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1700 Registered: 1-2004 |
BGS I said the same thing a week ago. I will NEVER go into the 'new' store again. It's a mess. The staff looked a mess, the store looked a mess. We weren't allowed to hold the animals like we could with New Jersey Pets. Not only that, they freaked my friend's little girl out when they fed the snakes in the middle of the day. Not good. I'm still trying to explain (lie) to her more then three weeks later the mice don't feel a thing. Now if it were one of my nephew's, especially the 18 year old, he would have thought it was great! | ||
| mjh Supporter Username: Mjh Post Number: 153 Registered: 5-2001 |
I have to stop at ProPets every other day to buy fresh live crickets for my son's lizard-like creatures. I have never had any trouble parking. Those who have waited on me have been consistently very friendly, courteous, and quick. I have no trouble backing out of the parking space and doing so does not put me in the middle of Valley traffic. I've never thought the store was disorganized or dirty, though I'll admit it looks like a pet store, not a country club. I must have been there 100 times already. Frankly, while I would love to support the Maplewood store, but the ease and convenience and available parking at ProPets makes it simpler for me, and I like the great service. Generally, it's about a 3 minute stop from start to finish. The place looks a lot better than the empty storefronts in the neighborhood, and I'm glad they are in business. The exterior is no worse than most of Valley, and better than the dead zones. Get a grip! | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1024 Registered: 8-2003  |
I went to Pro Pets last night for the first time to get supplies for two new kittens we're bringing home in a few days. The staff was very friendly and helpful, although they were out of a few things we needed. We did buy some stuff and I admit that I like the convenience of having a pet shop so close to home and so close to the train. I'll be back but I can't say they'll they will be the only store I frequent. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2746 Registered: 5-2001 |
My husband goes there all the time too for crickets for my kid's chameleon. If Bill was open later, he'd go there, but as often as he can hubby likes to come home and then take the girls on a little excursion to get crickets. Tough to do all that by 6pm. While he's there he'll stock up on bird food, fish food, etc. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 932 Registered: 9-2004 |
I will NEVER go into the 'new' store again. It's a mess. The staff looked a mess, the store looked a mess. We weren't allowed to hold the animals like we could with New Jersey Pets. The staff looks a MESS? How insulting! I'll pass that along to the young folks trying to make a buck working there. Can't believe folks these days  Good to see that a MAJORITY of the posters here favor Pro Pets. I also wish them luck too.  | ||
| Maplewood27 Citizen Username: Maplewood27 Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2004  |
I've visited the Pro Pet store three times since it has switched hands. The store always smells and looks a mess - but thats nothing new from when it was NJ Pet. The first time the owner convinced me to switch my dog to another food, which was a big mistake and he also felt that he could treat my other dogs health problems better than the specialists she sees. The second time we had a question about a product, the owner knew it and still proceeded to go off and help other customers to the point that we walked out. The last time i stopped in they didnt have any size bag of the food my dogs eat. As for the staff, they have never been the greatest. I worked in a pet store myself, and too many times I overheard them not able to answer the simplest of questions. I'd rather take the extra time to drive further where at least I know they have items in stock and won't try to pressure me into buying a higher price food that is "supposedly" better quality. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1706 Registered: 1-2004 |
Phen- Yes the staff were a mess. Untucked shirts, too big pants, dirty looking wrinkled clothes. Was never like that with NJ Pets. Oh, and you forgot to mention how they fed the snakes in front of a child. At least they could have warned us. And how come they wouldn't allow us to hold the bunnies or pigs? | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 933 Registered: 9-2004 |
Pippi The staff was very friendly and helpful, although they were out of a few things we needed. SOorlady We go there regularly and they always have what I'm looking for and the staff for the most part, have been extremely helpful and knowledgeable of the products they sell. Duder I now go straight to NJ Pets. Always helpful and knowledgeable. And someone there always takes a moment to let my three-year-old pet the bunnies. Nonymous Reingold I liked this place before it changed ownership, and I still like it. growler I still shop there and will continue to. The new owner is very dedicated to his new venture and the staff directed me to a new cat food that is better for our guys AND the cats lost weight. eliz I really like this pet store - they are very nice and easy to deal with and they are good with kids. If it's not busy the staff always offers to let my daughter hold or pet the bunnies. Montrose13 The staff here is always helpful and polite--when it was NJ Pets and now as Pro Pets." peteglider Did have very nice and helpful service from one person, who also politely asked if I wanted to be on their mailing list (which is a great idea for them!). Wish them well. Alison The thing that really impressed me was that the new owner re-hired the entire staff once NJ Pets sold the location. So all the local folks who worked there kept their jobs. I really like the staff. Love Kriss's response. Good grief, it's a pet supply store, not Neiman Marcus. DITTO!!! JTA, You seem to be the only one that complain about the “look” of the staff. And as far as the petting the animals was concerned, other posters did not seem to have that problem. Perhaps they were busy feeding the snakes? They have to eat too. And if you didn't want you child seeing this…walk away. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1029 Registered: 8-2003 |
I went into Petco on Union Square yesterday and it smelled - like a pet store. Don't they all smell a little?? |
