Fin and Feather profiled on RTD

“Customer service is the No. 1 priority. We try to stand apart from others.”

September 29, 2014; 8:47 AM • by Richard Hayes

It’s not easy being in the pet shop business but Fin and Feather (5208 Lakeside Avenue) has been doing it since 1959. Times have changed and according to the RTD article the shop has had to adapt to keep going. Back in the day exotic pets were a hot item but now even the old standby fish and birds are a harder sell.

The interest among consumers in fish as pets has declined over the past few years as has the interest in birds, Major said.

“Birds used to be a huge market, and they are not anymore,” he said, noting that the store sells smaller birds, such as parakeets and cockatiels. “Fish and birds are now more of an adult hobby than a child hobby.”

The store stopped selling dogs and cats about six years ago.

“A lot of people frown on puppies and kittens being sold in pet shops,” he said. “Adoptions seem to be the way to go.”
Revenue at Fin & Feather has been flat for the past two years.

“We have to work hard at customer service to keep our sales going,” Perkins said. “Customer service is the No. 1 priority. We try to stand apart from others.”

Image: Fin and Feather