McKINLEY PARK — The neighborhood's newest pet store is coming in the form of Pet Supplies Plus, which will open in a popular strip mall by year's end.
The chain pet supplies store will open at 3145 S. Ashland Ave., near the McKinley Park Mariano's, with a soft open scheduled for Dec. 8, Pet Supplies Plus spokesman Mike Garabedian said.
The store is planning for a grand opening on Jan. 6, he said. At the grand opening, the store will give out coupons, raffles and other prizes, according to Garabedian.
The 6,000 square-foot store will have a self-serve dog wash station, and will include staples like pet food, toys and accessories as well as fish and small critters for sale, Garabedian said. While about half of Pet Supples Plus stores are franchise-owned, this outpost will be corporate-owned, he said.
A sign in the store's window says the business is hiring, and Garabedian said the company looks to hire local as well as align with local charities and causes.
McKinley Park's store will be the fifth Pet Supplies Plus in the city, with locations in Wicker Park, Lakeview, Irving Park and Norwood Park. Pet Supplies Plus has 400 shops in 32 states, according to the company.
