*UPDATE 12-15-15*
Well, that was fast…
After three months, Pet Street owner Steve Carvelli is closing shop, citing poor sales and neighborhood disinterest. This Saturday his shop will be unloading as much merchandise as possible, in order to clear the place out for his next venture, a real estate office.
More details to follow, meanwhile swing by this weekend for last-minute holiday shopping for your four-footed friend. Everything must go! Lots of bones, treats, and sample-sized packages of dog food still available.
PUBLISHED 9-2-15: Of course East Falls couldn’t just open a regular pet shop, could we? Pet Street offers food & supplies, plus training, pet wash, vet hours — and social events, too.
Whatever you do, don’t call this a pet store. “We don’t sell pets!” Pet Street manager Traci Thompson happily stressed when we swung by to check out Steve Carvelli’s latest Conrad Street venture. This cute little “pet boutique” offers food, treats, toys, accessories, training, pet wash, and educational support for pet owners of all breeds.
You’ll still see live animals at Pet Street, though. For starters, there’s Princess Bree, Traci’s 6-year old Great Dane, who seems to take her role as greeter quite solemnly, with her stately elegance and calm, gentle demeanor.
Local rescues are also lining up for events all Fall, including Adoption Days as well as dog-friendly fundraisers with the Art Gallery/Community Space next-door: bingo, crafts, even a Halloween costume parade. Steve & Traci have lots of ideas on how to bring East Falls’ pets owners together in fun, engaging ways. They see Pet Street as a “holistic” pet resource, offering not just supplies but also socializing, education, and health care.
Three days a week, four-footed patients show up for appointments with Dr. Thomas Pickard, VMD — a U of P grad who earned a name for himself more than 20 years ago as the only vet in Philly who made house-calls.
All Pets House Calls has been caring for pets in their homes since 1993, and now for the first time this well-loved doc will be holding regular office hours in our neck of the woods. Of course, if vet trips stress your Kitty or Fido, Dr. Pickard’s still happy to drive to your door. His coverage area includes East Falls, as well as Manayunk, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill, Fairmount and all of Center City (and then some).
PLUS… PET WASH! This corner of Conrad & Sunnyside used to be a dentist office, and Steve knew just what to do with all the extra water outlets. For only ten bucks, you can comfortably bathe your buddy in a nice deep tub with a handy spray nozzle, fluffy towels, and — here’s the best part: someone else cleans up all the hair!
Bring your own shampoo, or try one of Pet Street’s luxury suds for $2. Short on time (or patience)? Pet Street will even wash your pet for you, just $20.
JOIN THE CLUB for PERKS & SAVINGS Save 10% Off all purchases with Pet Street’s “Very Important Pet Person” club, and show your support for local business! Membership is just $25 per year, and in addition to the immediate savings also includes FREE ADMISSION to all Pet Street events, a complimentary bone a month, plus this snazzy key chain.
Pet Street officially opened the last weekend of August, but continues to add stock and services. Check in on Traci & Bree for the latest developments, and meanwhile let’s all give a hand to the latest new storefront in what’s turning out to be quite a renaissance for Conrad Street, and the whole neighborhood, really.
INFO: Pet Street (3500 Sunnyside) is open Monday thru Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm. Contact manager Traci Thompson at 1-844-PET-HYPE, phillypetstreet@gmail.com, or visit Pet Street online for training, grooming & store info.
To reach Dr. Pickard, visit his website or call 215-843-1780. Or just stop by Pet Street after 4:00 any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday to say hello. He’s a really nice guy, very down to earth and friendly.
This store sounds amazing! Win for East Falls! Quin, Max, and I will be checking it out this weekend. Thanks for the coverage!
Wow, that was a quick closing indeed! Honestly not surprised. EF formerly had a pet shop called Wag N Style that set the standard for what the community likely would have expected from Pet Street. Pet Street did not come close in its appearance. Having a real estate office a block from another is a sad result for the community.
Thanks for your comment and, yeah, Pet Street promised a lot but seemed to close before it found its footing. Another real estate office, indeed… sigh….