New Concept PetSmart Store Opens In Township

Accompanied by one of his rescued beagles, Mayor Phill Kramer reacts after he cut the ribbon at the new PetSmart store at the Crossroads at Somerset retail center. To Kramer’s left is his wife, Laurie.

Looking for a doggie day care center, or a high-tech dog wash?

The new-concept PetSmart store in the Crossroads at Somerset center, 441 Elizabeth Ave., has both, plus a pet spa.

The store held its grand opening Dec. 10 with a day-long celebration featuring a ribbon-cutting, giveaways and pictures with Santa Claus.

The 6,000-square-foot store is only the second of its kind in the United States, and the third in the chain. The other two operating stores are in Toronto, Canada and Oceanside, Long Island, said store manager Marco Jurjevich. A fourth store is planned for Huntington Beach, Cal., he said.

The smaller store – PetSmart stores are typically 18,000 to 20,000 square feet – offers “a sharper focus on our services,” Jurjevich said. “We strive to be the trusted partner for pet families and their pets.”

PetSmart features a self-service dog wash.

Pet owners can drop off their dogs for day care as early as 7 a.m., he said. The dogs spend their time playing and socializing.

Franklin was picked for this new concept store because “this is a community that has a high density of animal lovers,” Jurjevich said. “It makes sense naturally that PetSmart pick an area in which we have lots of stores, but where we’d like to focus on and cater to our pet parents.”

Jim Fisher was at the grand opening with his Husky. He said he welcomed the nearness of a self-washing station.

“We were traveling about a half-hour to self-service dog washes,” he said. “I have a Husky who likes to play hard, so it’s comforting to see something so close to home that we can come to.”

Santa was on hand for pet pictures.

Tori Kowalski said she and her family – including their three dogs – were eagerly waiting for the store to open.

“We saw the sign go up and we got so excited,” she said. “I love everything about PetSmart, from the variety to the prices. It’s the only store I shop at.”

PetSmart is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

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