Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlin McGrath.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 1984, my mother’s very good friend, Loretta Thomas, purchased the Belmont Pet Shop. My mom would take me to the store as a kid and it was always my favorite place to go. Growing up, I remember getting to go to Loretta’s house where she raised all kinds of birds for the pet shop. There was everything from parakeets to macaws. I would sit for hours and just loved to watch all the baby birds in the incubators. When I was 14 years old, Loretta asked if I wanted to come help her out at the pet shop. I was so excited and jumped at the opportunity. I also got to breed guinea pigs for the store. It was a lot of fun and really interesting to watch them grow. I would always tell her that I would love to own my own pet shop someday. By 16 years old, I could run the shop by myself on Sundays. However, my favorite day to work was always Saturday. On Saturdays, I got to watch Brian, the groomer, make all the dogs look their best. I’d spend a lot of time talking with him about grooming and what he loved about it. Before work on Saturday mornings I loved to watch the AKC dog show on TV and learn about all the different breeds. When I graduated high school, I decided to go to school and got my associates degree for animal care and small business management. In 2007, I graduated from the Massachusetts Academy of Canine Cosmetology and I have been grooming at Belmont Pet Shop ever since. Loretta has spent the last 33 years growing Belmont Pet Shop into the successful business it is today and I have spent the last 16 years looking up to her and hoping to one day make Belmont Pet Shop my success story. I am very proud to say that as of June 1, 2017, that ‘someday’ that I talked about at 14 years old will come. Loretta will be able to enjoy a well-deserved retirement and I will take ownership of my own pet shop.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Almost 8 years ago, we decided to move our location from a bustling square to a more off the beaten path location. In the bustling square, it was very difficult to park and at times were sort of providing a drive up service. Parking spaces were hard to come by, so customers would sometimes be forced to drive around the block a few times and we would bring them their items that they needed and run back and forth to the register to complete the sale. We weren’t sure how it would go for business to lose the foot traffic but gain plenty of parking. It ended up going very well for us and business increased as many customers who had been too frustrated by the parking situation returned and a lot of new customers found us as well.
Please tell us about Belmont Pet Shop.
Belmont Pet Shop was established in 1948 in Belmont, Massachusetts. It has grown and changed a lot since then, but its number one goal has always been to provide the very best products, services, and advice to our customers. We provide the highest quality pet foods for dogs, cats, and small animals. We also provide full grooming services for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits, including hand stripping for dogs. We board small animals, birds, and reptiles. I think we are most proud of the fact that we are all about quality. Whether for grooming, boarding, or products in the store, we are always dedicated to providing the customer with the highest quality products and services.
Contact Info:
- Address: Belmont Pet Shop
17 Flett Road
Belmont, MA 02478 - Website: belmontpetshop.com
- Phone: 617-484-4216
- Email: belmontpetshop4216@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Belmont-Pet-Shop-157481374285722/?rf=622821097799494
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