Copperas Cove to get a Pet Supplies Plus

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The site of the former Connell Chevrolet and former Furniture Zone at 1212 Business 190 is set to be transformed into a Pet Supplies Plus.

Pet Supplies Plus franchisee Spike Stoker opened a Pet Supplies Plus in Stephenville in February 2016.

Stoker, an alum of Tarleton State University, previously worked for Tractor Supply for 15 years before branching out to open his own franchise.

“We’re shooting for right around December 1 to open,” Stoker said, barring any weather or other delays, he added.

“We are all about customer service. When someone comes in, we want to take care of our neighbors and customers, and treat them like family,” Stoker said.

For example, Stoker said anytime a customer purchases something that weighs 15 pounds or more, Pet Supplies Plus will automatically provide carryout for that purchase.

The store will also have self service dog washing stations to use for $10. Or customers can have someone wash their dog, for a higher price.

Customers will be welcome to take their dogs to the store and every dog will receive a treat when they come.

Stoker said he knows there are a number of dog groomers in Copperas Cove, but his intent isn’t to compete with them.

“We don’t do grooming,” he said.

Stoker’s original plan was to open one franchise per year, but he said everything fell into place for purchasing the building in Copperas Cove. He said the plan is to hire between 15-20 employees for the Copperas Cove store.

The 10,000-square-foot building has been vacant for several years after the closing of Furniture Zone.

Pets Supplies Plus sells food and supplies for dogs, cats, birds, fish, snakes, hamsters, mice and other pets, and also sells pet care items, cages, beds and more.

There are 26 stores in Texas listed on the company’s website, with the closest stores to Copperas Cove being the Stephenville and Marble Falls locations.

The Stephenville store sells bulk pet treats and bird seed, with customers able to let their pets try samples of the treats. It also sells live fish, birds, reptiles and rodents.

Pet Supplies Plus carries brands like Science Diet, Iams, Ideal Balance, Beneful, Merrick and more. It also has a focus on made in the U.S.A. pet products.

After its first store opened in 1988, Pet Supplies Plus has opened more than 300 franchised and corporate stores in 25 states.