A new locally-owned premium pet retail store “like nothing else in the pet industry” featuring educational facilities, self wash rooms, open play space for events, a grooming salon and more is set to open this spring in downtown Galesburg.
Dante & Dory’s: A Pet Destination will be located at 354 E. Main St., most recently a Dollar General and for many years an Osco Drug Store.
Co-owner Candace D’Agnolo, a Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award recipient and one of Pet Age Magazine’s Woman of Influence, said the new store stems from the recent closure of a chain pet store in Galesburg.
D’Agnolo tells WGIL the recent closure of Pet Supplies Plus in Galesburg — which she believes was not due to poor performance, but because of its national bankruptcy and lease expiration — has created a significant void in the local market.
“Their departure leaves an established customer base of pet owners without a dedicated pet supply store in Knox County as PSP sold a lot of lines not sold in big box, which is our only option at this time,” said D’Angolo, who will own the store with husband Joey Palermo.
“With no other mom-and-pop pet supplies and self-wash facilities in the county, to our knowledge, we are positioned to capture significant income that would otherwise be lost to online giants, big box corporations or to Peoria and the Quad Cities, while also providing essential services to our community.”
Three former Pet Supplies Plus employees — including Pet Care Director Stephanie Hall —will join Dante & Dory’s as full time employees.
“We’ll have more hires in the future, but it was important for me to secure our founding team members, especially knowing how loved they were from the local community,” D’Agnolo said.
Expect a soft opening this spring
The names Dante & Dory refer to D’Agnolo’s two rescue Pomeranians.
Dante & Dory’s will offer:
- Products for dogs, cats, and some small animals.
- Self wash rooms
- Play space and events
- Grooming salon and education space
In addition to the walk-in retail space, Dante & Dory’s will also offer local delivery and curbside pickup options.
D’Agnolo said they’ll first tackle interior HVAC, lighting and general clean up to roll out a soft opening this spring.
“A soft opening may look like limited hours, a smaller selection and warehouse style merchandising while we wait for construction in the building to be finished and custom displays and inventory to arrive,” she said. “This will allow us to serve the community sooner, while still making progress on the building.”
A grand opening is scheduled for this summer, following completion of interior decorating and the play park.
The last stage will be a grooming salon build out in the lower level basement. The salon will be used for educational classes, workshops and certifications in grooming.
‘Something really exciting for the community’
D’Agnolo has vast experience coaching and mentoring business owners from across the US, Canada and Europe. She is the founder and CEO of Pet Boss Nation®, a leading professional development company dedicated to empowering independent pet business owners.
Through her signature programs, the Pet Boss Club, University & Mastermind, D’Agnolo has supported nearly 1,000 clients with expert guidance in marketing, sales, and leadership development. Over the past eight years, her techniques have helped generate an estimated $765 million in the pet industry.
D’Agnolo said Dante & Dory’s “will be like nothing else that exists in the pet industry,” and expects it to be a destination for pet parents not only locally, but regionally.
“We’re going to integrate a lot of technology and fun elements to make it it really, really exceptional,” she said. “We’re bringing something really exciting to the community.”
