Sitting down with Pet Supplies Plus (PSP) managers Mallory Potts and Kelly Bowser you may think that PSP is your standard pet store, but they have so much more going on.
Both women come from pet store backgrounds. Potts having an employment background at one of PSP’s corporate stores and before that 5 years in a pet grooming setting. While Bowser spent the last 10 years with Petsmart. Both seem to have a great deal of passion for animals and pet care.
Wilmington’s PSP is the only non-corporate location in the area, with their franchising group located mainly out of South Carolina. Owner Dr. Steven Whatley brought Potts and Bowser to South Carolina in 2023 to complete extensive training for the new store. Wilmington was chosen as the location because of it being a rural area where many people own pets and lack access to pet supply stores. Once they returned to Wilmington, the countdown began. A week of interviewing and hiring took place. Then the week of December 4th Potts, Bowser, and their team set up the new store in just 2-weeks before hosting their soft opening on December 15th.
PSP offers so much more than standard pet supplies like dog food, collars, and cat trees. Upon walking in, customers are greeted with a friendly person and a counter that features a bakery case with treats by Tail Bangers, a small batch bakery boasting their “human grade” dog treats. At the front counter customers can also get custom made pet tags.
PSP hosting a large selection of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. Customer’s can purchase or peruse animals like ferrets (also lovingly referred to as “noodle cats” by Bowser), many species of freshwater and feeder fish, parakeets, hamsters, pacman frogs, bearded dragons, geckos, ball pythons, chameleons, as well as other breeds of reptiles and small animals. Coming soon, PSP will be partnering with local shelters like PAWS to house up to two cats at a time for adoption. There are also plans to partner with the CC Humane Society to have ‘adoption day’ events for both cats and dogs.
One of PSP’s unique features is it’s ‘self wash station’ where for $14 dollars (or 5 washes for $50 with the Dirty Dog Card) customers can bring in their dogs to wash. PSP provides water proof aprons, towels, a selection of shampoos, and a large hose dryer. After each wash, staff come in to sanitize and clean for the next wash. PSP also offers standard grooming services.
PSP will be hosting it’s official grand opening on the 4th and 5th of February where they will be offering free nail cuttings, food truck, games, and give aways all weekend. So stop in, say “hi”, and get a picture with their lovable brown dog mascot Murphy!