On Thursday, January 20th at 6:30pm, an open house will be held about the proposed location for a new Unleased by PETCO store at 5411 Geary near 18th Avenue, formerly a Walgreens.
Rather than a full-size store, PETCO is proposing to open one of their Unleashed by PETCO stores, which are typically half the size of their usual superstores. The description from their website:
Unleashed by PETCO has everyday pet essentials in a unique, neighborhood store that’s just around the corner. We serve up only the best in premium, natural, organic and raw pet nutrition. Talk with our knowledgeable, pet-obsessed associates while your pets mix and mingle at our treat bar or during special store events.
In addition to selling pet supplies, Unleashed by PETCO also offers pet services like dog training, pet insurance, pet sitting, vaccinations, and DNA breed testing. Neither live animals nor grooming services will be offered at the Unleashed location, which is typical of the larger PETCO stores. There are currently 25 Unleashed locations across California, DC, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.
We first mentioned the proposed PETCO back in August as part of a story about some smaller pet store merchants organizing to try and block PETCO’s arrival in the neighborhood. The effort was being led by Roy Schmall, the owner of Cal’s Pet Supply on California and 22nd Avenue.
In the comments, readers had a lot to say about the topic. Some supported the small pet stores already in the Richmond District (“neighborhood shops are part of the reason I live in SF”), while some didn’t care whether the tenant was PETCO or someone else (“I’d rather have an open business, then an empty storefront”).
Still others were pragmatic about it being a free marketplace (“Compete or die”) while others thought there were already plenty of store for pets (“why would we need another pet store opening its doors?”). A new one, Pet’s Corner, just opened in October 2010 at the corner of Arguello and Geary.
The January 20th meeting will begin at 6:30pm at the Richmond District Recreation Center, 251 18th Avenue. To RSVP, request translation services or for more information contact Luis Cuadra at 788-1000 ext. 207 or email UnleashedByPETCO@gmail.com.
What do you think about PETCO moving into the Richmond District?
Sarah B.
I am all for the new store. I live four blocks from this area, and the vacant storefront is a terrible eyesore with lots of graffiti and trash. It also frequently has homeless people camping out in front of it. I would much rather have an active business there rather than an empty storefront.
Most of the differing points of view have been stated in the previous comments. I would ask those who think having a big box store in the neighborhood is great- If your mom or dad owned a small business and it was their store going under, would you feel the same? I also think Mr Mar is a total failure when it comes to working with small businesses in the Richmond. The closed stores, ADA suits, the selling of Golden Gate Park to the highest bidder, it all goes un-noticed for happy meals.
When this big box locust finishes eating up the small stores and leaves there are some who think the neighborhood will have gotten what it deserves.
Regardless of how you feel, come to the meeting make your views known for the sake of the neighborhood, PLEASE
PETCO is a large corporation that will hire close to minimum wage workers to operate their store. Do you want that? Do we want a chain store that has NO interest in the neighborhood it opens, other than underselling other pet shps and putting them out of business, so that eventually they’re the only pet supply shop in the neighborhood. There are already 2 pet stores that I know of near the proposed location – the one at 22nd and Cal Ave.and one on or near Geary and 11th.
For those that are concerned about vacant storefronts, I would ask you to consider that a PETCO will probably put at least one, or both, of the current stores that are nearby, out of business. Thus, more vacant storefronts.
I used to own a retail store; it’s not easy, especially when chain stores move in an undercut your prices by 10-20% *until they put the competition out of business*; then they increase prices. Please, consider the businesses that have been *your neighbors* for years. Give them a break; support them, and please consider that hey have families and livelihoods to support. Who is PETCO? A faceless corporation; they care about coming in and killing competition. Do we really want our *neighbors* put out of business?
Yes, I DO want to see a PETCO store there. I do not want to use filmy fears to perpetuate another Peskin (empty storefront) that attracts street bums, druggies, and those selfless folks afflicted with a severe illness they have absolutely no control over (alcoholism). The name of the game is competition; if a business can’t keep up with a rival, by providing personalized service, greater stock, loyal customer adherence, than its days may be numbered. I don’t believe in pulling out the old bugaboo of price raising to limit competition. If that does occur, we will shop elsewhere. But let that be the decision of the customer, not some self-appointed imperious regulator determined to maintain neighborhood purity by stifling competitive growth.
I realize it’s a thoroughly radical concept, but perhaps consumers should be allowed to seek out goods at the lowest cost available without risk of offending merchants unable to match that price structure.
Interesting comment. The very reason a place like Cal’s has been in business many years is the good prices and customer service. Just wanting a store so the “bums” as you say won’t hang out seems to be a different issue and could happen with any storefront.
Why are so many Americans out of jobs? Other nations produce cheap goods, we close plants the big companies and box stores put our families and neighbors out of business. Yes at some point the neighborhood and America must come first before cheap.
@Jimmy Cross says: “if a business can’t keep up with a rival, by providing personalized service, greater stock, loyal customer adherence, than its days may be numbered. ”
Tell that to the hundreds/thousands of small towns all over America that have had their local retail economies gutted by WalMart. You talk about “competition” like it’s a level playing field. It’s not. PETCO, WalMart, and the rest of the giant retailers get all kinds of special tax breaks to move into a town and “create opportunity”. If you believe that, I have another bridge to sell you!
If you have a beef about people hanging out in front of empty storefronts, *do something about THAT* – like calling the cops, or attendingn a City Council meeting to complain; do that, instead of looking for any easy way out **no matter the cost to your neighbors**, i.e. local retail stores that have served the community for years.
If Cals or the other shop goes out of business because of PETCO, are you going to complain about their empty storefronts? Do you even have a pet?
Larger store fronts remain empty because they cost more to rent and to stock with goods than most small retail business can afford. So even if Unleashed does not move in, another larger store or franchise probably will. I am not against a larger store if it attracts customers to the area who will patronize other stores. Unleashed may be bad for competing pet stores, but not necessarily for the vegetable or coffee shops on the block.
I probably wouldn’t shop at a Petco in that location simply because Petco doesn’t carry the brand I prefer. I wouldn’t be against a Petco moving into that space, however, for the reasons the other residents mentioned.
I’m not convinced a Petco would drive out the local pet stores, there isn’t an exact overlap in customers because of the brands Petco vs the locals carry.
Some good points raised above, but consider that even though PETCO may not carry the brands that you like , they will carry other brands and products that are generally carried by other nearby pet shops. One of the facts of life for small retail like Cals, or the other pet shop on Geary, and many other small retailers, is that just 2-3 or three customers *not* coming to your store every day because they’re going to the competition down the street can put you out of business. Margins are very thin in retail. It’s not a cake walk. There are chain stores that could go in there that wouldn’t harm local businesses. In fact, many cities actually have distance formulas that control retail placement and frequency. For some businesses, like pet stores, hobby shops, art supplly shops and many more, there is not sufficient demand to maintain several locations near each other unless you have high density. Don’t forget, many local markets and supermarkets and pharmacies carry pet food and other pet products. It’s not an easy business to be in. In all, another pet shop, especially a pet store chain with powerful marketing resources, will probably have major net negative impacts on local pet shops. Too many consumers shop only for pure convenience these days. Loyalty to small retail is decreasing. We have a responsibility to those who extract a livelihood by providing quality neighborhood services to our community. It’s a virtuous circle. Capitalism and competition are good things, but one must consider impacts on one’s neighbors. I’m concerned about long time retail neighbors who have well served this community, and who depend on this community for their livelihood. Is PETCO?
I haven’t shopped at Cal’s in at least 15 years. I used to shop B&B as their prices were good and their service was wonderful. I can’t say the same thing for the present owners. I will give PETCO a try if they open (same with Target at the old Sears).
Mar, and his predecessor McGoldrick, have done very little for the district. There are far too many commercial vacancies on Geary; DPW does a poor job of pothole repair and derelict trash pickup. We need a real shoe store, an art supply store, and something in the old Alexandria.
Enough with the gnashing of teeth about Petco pushing out the smaller stores. Guess what folks, we live in a capitalist society. If you don’t want Petco there then don’t shop there. It’s very simple economics. Instead of throwing a fit and not allowing Petco to move in just don’t shop there. It’s very simple. Quit trying to tell people where they can and can’t shop. If I want to shop at Petco then more power to me. If I want to shop at a smaller store then more power to me. There should be competition between the big and small stores. People don’t shop at a store purely for economic reasons. People will shop at a store because of the level of service they receive. If any store doesn’t provide service they tend not to stick around for long.
What’s funny is that there is a Peet’s and Starbucks just four blocks apart yet there are at least two coffee shops between the two that seem to do just fine. So please, don’t have the attitude that Petco would ruin the smaller stores.
@ Paul- glad you support small business. Would you feel the same if it was a pot dispensary strip or night club moving in next door to you?
@David H- I have no idea what your point is. Talk about throwing out a red herring.
@Paul- Sorry if it was obtuse. Each community has businesses it needs, welcomes and shuns. If PETCO is really your kind of store by all means shop there. People travel to the nearest Trader Joes and shop, does not mean I would want that big store as a neighbor either. If you look up Capitalism it is defined as privately owned enterprise- PETCO is corporate owned. I hope you will make the meetings coming up, differing viewpoints are important.
The Outer Richmond is a small series of *neighborhoods*. These neighborhoods have diverse and complex economies, as well as personalities. Small retailers have spent a large part of their *lives* devoted to making their businesses go. These people are your neighbors; treat them as such. they are not faceless storefronts. Do you think the CEO of PETCO’s is going to give a damn if another one of his cloned stores drives a few small pet shops of of business? Furthermore, where is our Supervisor in all this. I just moved back to the city a few years ago and am appalled at the seeming lack of proactive work done on behalf of this section of our city. For instance, I read about the small bookstore on Clement going out of business after being extorted by an attorney to make expensive ADA changes or settle and not have to do them. That tipped the balance for the store owner and she closed shop. Why isn’t our Supervisor *all over* this predatory law firm? Why isn’t our Supervisor working to get small business incentive grants going to encourage local businesses to settle into our neighborhood? Why are we even *thinking* of letting a large chain pet store in here? btw, coffee shops are a very different animal (pun intended) from pet shops. Hundreds of people go to Starbucks every day. The majority of people drink coffee. It so happens that some retail thrives on near-placed competition. Coffee shops fall into that category. Pet shops don’t. Why don’t our political leaders know these facts and act on them?
@Phil,
Thank you. I appreciate you standing up for the nieghborhood! Looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say tonight, yes on both sides, of the issue, at the meeting.People speaking up=a better Richmond district.
Closing at the end of the month. SF is only friendly to some small businesses not others. Look up scam locksmiths on the internet. I hope the next time you are locked out you get one of these guys instead of an honest person who was trying to right by the community. I just think many of you are really misguided. I noticed at the latest meeting down town you kept saying small businesses instead of small pet businesses.
That’s because your being dishonest about the fact that other businesses besides pet businesses are hurt by empty store fronts. So when you have your weird keys that need to be cut and you’ve been to five different places and no one carries it, well, as far as I’m concerned you deserve to have someone come out and charge you 500 dollars to replace your lock-set because you can’t get keys for it. Good luck.