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Pet Haus store opens on Main Avenue
Herald Staff Writer
Photo by JERRY McBRIDE/Herald
Louis Galinson, owner of the Pet Haus on 1444 Main Ave., holds some of the items for sale in the store Wednesday. The Bowser Beer and the bottle of White Sniff -N-Tail are gravy.
Click image to enlarge
JERRY McBRIDE/Herald
Devi, one of the dogs at the Pet Haus that customers could be greeted by when visiting the store, models a pair of doggy goggles called “Doggles” on Wednesday that are sold at the store. The goggles can be used for boating, rafting and other activities.
Pet Haus has opened at 1444 Main Ave., selling food and toys for dogs and cats in a renovated 2,000-square-foot retail space.
The business aims to cash in on the high-end market for pet products and services. Durango has several pet grooming and spa businesses; even pet massage seems to be growing in popularity.
Owner Louis Galinson is blunt about his goal: beat the competition.
In this case, that's Creature Comforts, 305 South Camino del Rio, a 25-year-old local pet retailer.
“They've had a monopoly for 25 years," Galinson said.
Galinson hopes low prices, a downtown location and friendly service will give Pet Haus staying power in Durango.
“I'm meeting or beating the locally owned competition's prices," he said.
At the same time, Creature Comforts is expanding, giving the business 12,000 square feet.
“Low prices aren't everything to people," said Wendy Will-iamson, who owns Creature Comforts. “They want selection and accessibility."
Creature Comforts' expansion gives customers more selection than ever, Williamson said. The business has grown along with Durango since opening in 1984, she said.
Jack Llewellyn, executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, said Pet Haus gives shoppers an option near the Central Business District, even as Creature Comforts expands in south Durango.
“I think that the competition will be good, and give people an opportunity for selection," he said.
Healthy Hounds & Fat Cats, 21738 U.S. Highway 160 west, also sells cat and dog food, treats and leashes in its 1,500 square feet of retail space.
Lee Ann Craig, who owns the business, said it specializes in foods that do not contain corn, wheat or soy. Healthy Hounds & Fat Cats expanded a year ago.
Pet Haus, which opened Nov. 11, stocks rows and rows of high-end dog and cat food. Toys are the other prominent product category. Besides the usual chew toys, Pet Haus also sells “Bowser Beer" and “Sauvignon Bark," two brands of gravy to pour over dog food. Leashes hang from the walls.
Galinson said he is not concerned about the slowly recovering economy.
“People will take food off their own table before they will lower the quality of their pet's food," he said.
Galinson, 35, grew up in Minnesota and earned a bachelor's degree in ecology at the University of Colorado. He moved to California for a decade, worked in biotechnology and ran an online parrot-supply business. In 2005, he visited a friend in Durango and moved here two weeks later.
Before starting Pet Haus, Galinson wrote a business plan, digging deep into market data. Among his findings was that the intersection at Main Avenue, Camino del Rio and 14th Street sees an average of 28,000 vehicles a day, second in the Durango area only to the U.S Highway 160/550 intersection.
Pet Haus already is attracting walk-in customers who simply see the store on their daily drives, Galinson said.
He also found through surveying more than 200 people that Pet Haus should focus on products for cats and dogs rather than chasing a relatively small number of consumers who own hamsters or exotic pets.
“It just didn't seem worth it," he said.
Pet Haus employs one full-time employee and two part-time employees, in addition to Galinson.
Leashed pets are welcome in the store. Galinson's own dog, a 2-year-old Australian shepherd named Murray, follows him around.
“Durango is such a pet-friendly town," Galinson said. “I knew there was by far enough business out there to be grabbed."
chuck@durangoherald.com'>chuck@durangoherald.com
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Durango Herald Calendar of Events
Monday, January 04, 2010
at 11:42:52 AM
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Towns Small says...
whoops it progresses upward! So not so long ago. We should all support new businesses in town. If you got attitude, well maybe you should of thought about not being so aggressive when your doors are shutting.
Monday, January 04, 2010
at 11:38:11 AM
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Towns Small says...
I see that the last blog is about a month old but I just wanted to chime in here and say that "I believe Durango is still a small town and if you come into this wonderful place and start huffing and puffing, you wont last long. Stomping the competition only means someone else will come do that to you. Helping others and that means the same businesses that are alike is how we succeed."
Monday, December 07, 2009
at 7:00:41 PM
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Big Bunny Tutu says...
Folks!
All of you need to settle dowm with the bantering back and forth! I worked in a high-end all natrual pet store/boutique on Pearl Street in Boulder, CO. The owner was the first to open such a store.
Well years later one opened a few blocks away, then another 5 blocks away, then another a mile down the street, and then another just a few more miles away.
The store I worked in saw a bit of a dip as some wanted to shop the new store or the parking there was better, but over all we still grew in numbers each year. The point is that community could support that many stores! GREAT!!! That meant more JOBS!!!!
Anyone risking going into business in any town should get support not kicked down by other stores or shoppers! Vacant store fronts are bad for a towns business period!
Regarding someone knocking off another idea, gee get used to that! Means they did something right! As a friend of mine in business once said. I just stay one step ahead of the competition! I am sure Creature Comforts will do just that as well as Pet Haus will develop their own style that seems different to all of you hard liners out there.
Wake up folks! Fighting against each other just gives the advantage to big corporations to move in and control prices and put all small business out of business!
Get out and support the store you like and keep your mouth closed if you have nothing nice to say about the other store!
Best to anyone venturing into business at this time!
Holiday Blessings to you all!
The Big Bunny Tutu
Thursday, December 03, 2009
at 12:14:23 PM
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Janet says...
Welcome Pet Haus, we are delighted to have you and what a great location, easy to get in and out...you make my life easier already, inaddition to my pocketbook.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
at 6:41:53 AM
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Julie Udero says...
Darci
This has nothing to do with hiring nicer people or sharing the wealth in
my comments, End of story.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
at 7:08:47 PM
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Darcy says...
Julie-
I like your idealistic thinking, however it is not practical. Don't we all wish that we lived in a world where everyone helped each other and didn't have to "win." That's just the way it is. I sincerely doubt that C.C. will go out of business- they just need to share the wealth! (And hire nicer people).
I appreciate the conversation.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
at 5:32:51 PM
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Julie Udero says...
Darci
I've been in the Pet Haus if you would have seen my comment earlier, but
you've missed the point! I love new stores to open their doors and
succeed in Durango but this one wants to try to end another and thats
just sad on their part. And I'm not harboring any anger toward them, I
just know a bully when I see one.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
at 5:16:11 PM
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Darcy says...
Dear Julie,
I would like to understand where you are coming from. "Beating the competition" is a basic understanding of running a business- otherwise everyone would be out of business. Do you think that Creature Comforts wants to just roll over? No. Have you ever been in Pet Haus or are you just not open to trying new things? I just don't get why you are harboring such hatred for a new, decent business.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
at 5:07:45 PM
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Julie Udero says...
Dear David,
Seems you have the facts wrong, I am a customer of Creature Comforts like
most people in this town for over 15 years and own pets of all kinds. I shop
in all the many wonderful pet stores in Durango and thank all of them for
their hard work they do everyday to give us all the care we require for
our best friends, Happy Hounds and Fat Cats, Tropical Fish Garden,
Fish Connection and the many pet related services that I have missed. Please
read the article more carefully and you'll understand why so many locals
feel like the Pet Haus is just acting like a bully to the respected other
local pet stores,"Beat the competition". Also, location is the last thing
they should say is great, thats why Creature Comforts moved! There is always
room for more great stores in this town its just this one wants to get rid of the one we love. Why doesn't the Herald have more stories on the other
stores in town that deserve notice rather than ones that hurt the Durango
image.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
at 4:43:53 PM
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KGR says...
Personally I am okay with a new pet store. There are so many of us dog/cat/animal lovers in the Durango area that competitive pricing and variety can't be a bad thing. Especially when products like healthy food and toys and soooo expensive to begin with! It gives us more options to shop local rather than deferring to Walmart or big box pet stores in other cities. On the topic of other local pet stores, although I do have love for Healthy Hounds and Fat Cats, I have had nothing but negative customer service experiences at Creature Comforts. Therefore, I will definitely give Pet Haus a try!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
at 4:38:36 PM
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Darcy says...
I am sorry to the readers who feel the need to talk negatively about Pet Haus. As we all know, those kinds of comments stem from insecurities. Fact is, Pet Haus has great employees, a great owner and great supplies. Competition is a positive thing!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
at 2:19:03 PM
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Sara Wakefield says...
Hey Debra,
Pet Haus is not a Copycat. Pet Haus has more style and character in their thumbnails. Totaly unique! Way more colorful and fun! Suck it up!
Monday, November 30, 2009
at 9:11:07 PM
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Dave says...
Hey Julie,
Were you not an employee at Creature Comforts when I conducted that interview for our story in the Durango Living Holiday Edition? If so, doesn't it seem a bit "odd" to comment as a "customer?" It would seem that, for a city that loves its pets, the City of Durango is big enough to share the territory with one more pet supply shop. After all, the three stores, each earning high praise from their customers, are spread out in a sort of triangle with decent milage between to hold on to your own customer base. Surely there is room to endure the inclusion of another store dedicated to making life for our pets all the better for it. And for pet owners who drive north to commute home from downtown, this looks like a pretty convenient place to shop.
Then, of course, there is Walmart, but that's another story.
Monday, November 30, 2009
at 7:22:48 PM
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JoeW says...
The Creature Comfort expansion is not old news! I was there today and they are expanding into the building that the DMV once occupied. They have an offer on their website where you can get $5 off a purchase of $30 or more, every little bit helps!
Monday, November 30, 2009
at 10:18:53 AM
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dd says...
He says people will take food off their own table before lowering the quality of their pet food....I disagree, as I know I won't do that, if it gets to that point than I can not afford to pay high prices for dog and cat food let alone a pair of stupid goggles so my dog doesn't get his eyes wet when he goes swimming. Give me a break.
Monday, November 30, 2009
at 9:08:15 AM
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Liz says...
Pet Haus is a welcome addition to Durango. Staff is friendly, knowlegdeable and fun! Locals should always welcome a new business owner who takes the time to fix up the building and wants to provide locals with a choice. Great energy! Welcome Pet Haus we're glad your here!
Monday, November 30, 2009
at 7:52:25 AM
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Debra says...
Congrats on a new pet food store in downtown Durango. I will look forward to all of the accidents and people blocking SW Whitewater's parking lot. In case you want a coupon for Creature Comforts, the friendliest and most convenient pet supply store in town, check out La Plata Discount . com! If I've learned one thing, I've learned that competition is good. Copycats don't last.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
at 8:39:24 PM
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Kevin and Aspen says...
Finally! A pet store that cares about the locals. Pet Haus treats me and my dog right. Thanks Pet Haus.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
at 6:07:55 PM
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Julie Udero says...
Nothing new at the Pet Haus to risk your life trying to get to. Its seems
they don't have any originallity in starting a new store by introducing new
products but copying Creature Comforts. Not sure where the knowledge comes
from either!I'm going to keep my patronage to Creature Comforts where they
care about everyone including your pets.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
at 4:33:49 PM
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Sara Wakefield says...
Pet Haus is hot! Glad to see its getting the press it deserves. Pet Haus has character just like Durango. I think its a great addition to the downtown district! By the way Creature Comforts expansion is old news!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
at 9:16:58 AM
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jenny from the block says...
I LOVE THE PET HAUS!!! Helpful, friendly, knowlegdeable, with a great location. The hous hounds are the best little door greeters!