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By Joel Frady
In January of 2005, self-professed animal lover B.J. Pim decided
it was due time for someone to open a high-
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end pet supplies store in Ashe County. Anyone interested in
top-line foods or specialty toys for their pets was forced to
drive out of the county or settle for the limited array offered
by local grocery and department stores.
"There were a lot of people that I had met who take good
care of their pets," said Pim. "They wanted the good
pet food, the care that the animals should have.
"The animals need help, too," she later added. "A
lot of people who are all in retirement ages with empty nests
have turned their focus to their pets. To them, that's their
children now, and they want good foods, clothes, toys and veterinary
care."
On April 18, 2005, Pim opened Happy Tails Pet Supplies on Back
Street in West Jefferson, across from the farmer's market. The
store offers a variety of supplies for small animals, such as
cats and dogs, and reptiles, like lizards or snakes. Pim said
that customers are welcome to bring their pets to the store
with them.
Pim, who also works as a receptionist for Animal Hospital of
Ashe in Jefferson, said that the store has gotten a "good
reception" since it opened, and that "people are floored
about what we carry in such a small area. We've been told that
we carry more stuff than PetSmart." She added that Happy
Tails can custom order products for customers, which people
like because "a lot of big stores don't do that."
The store has grown in the four years, adding the Dog Star Bakery
in September 2007. The bakery creates a variety of dog treats
made with "good ingredients that you'd find in a regular
kitchen," according to bakery manager Martha Tlakes. She
said they offer regular flavors like peanut butter, bacon, liver
and chicken parmesan, along with seasonal flavors like pumpkin.
Store Manager Kim Osborne, who has worked with Happy Tails for
three years, said that business has "been excellent. It
keeps growing and growing." To celebrate the fourth anniversary
of Happy Tails, the business will be holding a special sale
on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will
feature free nail clippings, a storewide sale on everything
except for food and flea medication (all clothing will be 50
percent off and all toys will be 40 percent off) and door prizes
like pet grooming, dog or cat beds, small animal items or treats
from the Dog Star Bakery. Weather permitting, Ashe Animal Control
will also be present and have some animals available for adoption.
Osborne said that another group, Furry Friends and Then Some,
will offer rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters for adoption as
well.
"We just want to tell the customers thanks for supporting
us over the years," said Osborne.
Pim added that "without them, we could not have made it
four years. Hopefully, we'll be here for another four or 40."
Happy Tails Pet Supplies and Dog Star Bakery is open from 9
a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
To find out more, visit the store at 105 Back Street, Unit 3,
in West Jefferson or call (336) 846-1727.
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