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Unleashed by Petco closing in Roslindale
By Mark- on Sun, 12/17/2017 - 5:48pm
Remember the controversy about Petco’s Unleashed store moving into Roslindale Square? The marketplace has apparently spoken, as they are having a 40% off “everything must go” sale. I just called and they confirmed that their location will be closing.
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Comments
Unleashed clsoing
Dang, my dog is going to be pissed. It's his favorite place to shop!
I'm a fan of cuddling up on
I'm a fan of cuddling up on the couch with my dog while ordering his food and treats on Amazon.
The controversy recalled
Roslindale residents join merchants to oppose Petco, 12/3/14.
Markets work
Yeah, take that, Will LaTulippe haters.
And the market has spoken
As it should, even in Roslindale Square.
Yes, your analysis of the
Yes, your analysis of the free market is why people here don't like you. Yes, that's it.
Now the real question is..
Did Pet Cabaret survive Petco?
Yes
And since the flourished with the competition rather than succeeding in keeping competition out, I tip my hat to them.
It was never a good fit
Even if the locals had welcomed this store, it likely wouldn't have lasted. Yes lots of people around that area have pets, but chances are they already have a favorite place to buy their food and supplies. Unless Unleashed was cheaper (doubtful), more convenient (possibly) or had a better selection (unlikely) who was going to shop there? I chalk that one up to bad market research on Petco's part.
I used to go
to the Petco Unleashed that was in Allston/Brookline, probably 2011-2013 ish?
The problem with the whole concept was it was a dog and cat convenience store. It had mostly dog and cat food and only generic supplies: anything besides the basics, you had to go to the actual Petco. Plus, they had almost nothing for small pets (fish, guinea pigs, mice, reptiles) even though those pets are most common among mass-transit reliant apartment dwellers who would be most likely to find the big Petco in Lower Allston to be off the beaten path of their daily routine.
Not everyone is rejoicing
Not everyone is rejoicing Petco's failure in Roslindale. As a pet owner, but not a car owner, I for one am really disappointed this didn't work out. I would be all for supporting Pet Cabaret (though it is a little less convenient for me as I live the other side of the square), they don't actually sell the food my pet needs. Now I'm back to renting a Zipcar or getting on a bus to schlep litter, canned and dry food etc. from elsewhere. Point is this was a one-stop shop for my pet needs and I loved being able to accomplish a number of different chores in the square on foot. The space was always nice and welcoming, as was the staff. There are people in Roslindale who will really miss it.
Consider ordering it online.
Consider ordering it online. I know a few people who use chewy.com and they seem quite happy with it.
I have been
using Chewy for my dog's prescribed food for almost 3 years now. Have it on auto order and it has never failed. Get my shipment 2 days after with FedEx Home. And I get a handwritten Christmas card from them every year (which I find odd, but oh well).
Bummer
As someone who doesn't shop at Pet Cabaret - because they don't offer Science Diet I loved this store because it was a great one stop shop for food and litter. Now I'm going to have to drive to Dedham. And to anyone rejoicing - stop it, this means the square will have one more empty business about about a half dozen people are out of a job.
Good point
Thank you for pointing out that local residents will be out of a job. This is what I find problematic about the huge opposition to chains in JP/Roslindale - yes, 100% of the profits doesn't go directly back into the community, but they provide jobs to people in our community, and probably more of them than the locally owned businesses that often have shorter hours of operation. (And who's to say what locally owned businesses are doing with their profits, anyways...) So, I will also be sorry to see Unleashed go - not only because of the nice people there who are losing their jobs but because I think competition is healthy. Never was a fan of Pet Cabaret, and I'll continue to not shop there.
Bummer! We'll miss the
Bummer! We'll miss the affordable self-wash with easy-in/easy-out low threshold on the tub.
When?
Does anyone know when they're officially closing? Hoping to swing by and get some holiday gifts for the cats.
Sometime in January
Like after the 20th. But maybe call before you go to make sure they still have what you want.