Business & Tech

Poll: Does Monrovia Need a PetSmart?

The pet supply retailer will open later this month in the building on Huntington Drive previously occupied by Circuit City.

Pet supply retailer PetSmart will soon be opening its doors in Monrovia, taking over a building near the 210 freeway that has been vacant since Circuit City went bankrupt in 2008.

According to a photo posted on the Gem City Images blog, the pet store is targeting a Jan. 16 grand opening.

Local of Monrovia because it will offer low-cost veterinary services that local pet doctors insist could put them out of business. The city granted a conditional use permit to the retailer last March.

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"The current economic environment is putting a great strain upon veterinarians well established in the community," wrote Huntington Veterinary Hospital Dr. Gary White in an appeal of the permit to the City Council. "Adding a large corporate practice will do nothing to increase patient care or public service beyond what we already have. It will merely dilute the number of patients per veterinarian further."

PetSmart spokesman Mike Mullin told Patch last year that his company intends to coexist with local animal hospitals.

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"PetSmart is committed to serving pet owners and their pets with quality products, services and solutions they need to live happier and healthier lives togther," Mullin said. "As part of that commitment, we are excited about the opportunity to join the Monrovia community. We look forward to serving the area and working with animal welfare organizations to help promote adoptions and to save lives and to allow the pets to have new homes."

The city has noted that the retailer will provide a steady stream of sales tax revenue at the location, which has not produced any income for the city since Circuit City went out of business.

What do you think?


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