Business name: Southbury Pet Valu

Address: 100 Main Street North, Southbury

Store Manager: Jessica Martin

Business background: Southbury Pet Valu opened five-and-a-half years ago across from where we are now in the Southbury Plaza. We opened in this new space in mid-February and had our grand opening on Saturday, March 2.

We chose to expand because one of the things Pet Valu is known for is our do-it-yourself dog washing stations. We were one of the smallest sores with the company and the only store in Connecticut without the do-it-yourself dog washing stations, so that was a big reason for expanding. We also expanded to have a grooming room to provide full-time grooming. We are a one-stop-shop now.

Business focus: We have a little bit of everything for dogs, cats, and small animals. One of our big things is food. We focus on nutrition, so everyone who works for our company is certified in pet nutrition. People around town know us as the go-to for help with dogs that are older, have ailments, sensitive stomachs, or other specific needs. We can help guide them to the foods that would fit best.

The grooming side of the business has become a huge part now, especially that we have the dog park about a mile and a half from here. The dogs are usually really muddy after, so a lot of people come in for the do-it-yourself dog washing stations. We provide shampoo, conditioner, towels, air-dryers, and aprons. They make the mess; we clean it up.

We also have a full-time groomer here 40 hours a week that offers full grooming services by appointment, and nail trimmings are always walk-in.

Important to know: We do adoptions in the store for cats from Whiskers Pet Rescue in Southbury. Last year, we adopted out 82 cats from the store. We also host adoption groups for dogs here in the store three to four times a month and do donation events for local rescues.

In February, we did a litter drive with a local cat rescue and partnered with the plaza to do the “I Love My Pet Contest.” For everyone who submitted photos, the plaza donated money to a rescue and then we matched it. We just made a $250 donation to Whiskers Pet Rescue. There is a lot of community involvement, and the one-on-one time with the staff makes us different.

Future events: Southbury Pet Valu will be having adoption events with Companion Pet Rescue, also known as CPR, on March 15, from 2 to 6 pm; March 17, from 10 am to 1 pm; and April 5, from 2 to 6 pm.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, from 9 am to 9 pm; and Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm.

Website: [naviga:u]us.petvalu.com[/naviga:u]

Phone: 203-586-1111

E-mail: [naviga:u]pvm5509@petvalu.com[/naviga:u]