As construction at Huntsville Place Mall continues, many people have been wondering what will be located beside Giant Tiger as the Canadian discount store chain prepares to open a location beside the Winners area presumably this June.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, PerSmart also confirmed its plans to open a store in Huntsville. “That is correct, we are opening a new PetSmart location in Huntsville. We’re in the early phases, but it’s anticipated to open early next year,” it stated via email correspondence.
PetSmart is a privately held American chain of pet superstores, which sell pet products, services, and small pets. It is considered the leading North American pet supply company, and its direct competitor is Petco. It has locations throughout Canada and more than 70 locations in Ontario.
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I drive to Orillia to shop at Petsmart. Why you ask, well because I use to shop at Petvalu only to be treated rudely by staff and the lack of customer service. Gus and Gigi I can’t afford and Global Pet foods well they don’t sell the brand I buy. So very happy that Petsmart is saving me the drive to Orillia!
These voices were needed more when the 6+ pot shops opened. 4 Timmy’s or even all the Pharmacy’s if we want to get picky. Competition is healthy,
we even have another 2 stores that will be selling groceries on the horizon.
I look forward to having a pet store in town that caters to more than just cats and dogs. I travel to Barrie for my fish and supplies. Pet Valu just doesn’t cut it in that area.
I am not a pet owner but if I was I would be supporting our local pet stores until this particular store goes the of Target and this community gets a store we need as mentioned in above comments
Actually, we will have 4 – F.O.U.R. pet stores – yes 4, including the one forthcoming! Apparently, there is a need for another one. Apparently it needs to be a U.S. owned pet store to compete with our “Canadian owned/franchised.”
I hesitate to call Huntsville Place Mall, a mall. It will be more of a Strip Mall. A cafe might work but with Starbucks so close and few stores in which to browse, perhaps not.
Had I been surveyed as to what store to add I’d suggest an addition to Winners, Reitmans, a restaurant unlike anything else we have, Coles Book Store (yay!), a movie theatre (what’s that?), a walk in clinic/or medical offices (yes, some malls have these)… Another pet store would not be on my list of recommendations. Well loved stores that have been in the mall for years are now either permanently gone, or relocated.
I shop in Huntsville as much as possible, even paying higher prices to support local businesses rather than traveling out of town, going online, or to Outlet Malls to save money; but choices of stores in Huntsville are getting slim. I also like to shop local because staff get to know you by name and, you know their names.
I wonder if there will be a washroom in Pet Smart and/or Giant Tiger? Certainly the central one that was shut down during the height of the pandemic is no more.
I agree with you, Faye. This announcement was hardly worth all the secrecy.
Yes, disappointing. No coffee available in the Mall, a cafe would have been nice!
My Question is Why? Why do we allow these duplicate and triplicate stores to come in. We don’t need another Pet store we have 3 dedicated stores now and a half dozen others that supply pet foods not to mention vets that sell foods.
Healthy competition is not healthy when the market is saturated. I think this store should be blocked from opening.
Sorry but I won’t be shopping there.
Well this is a disappointment! We are already have 2 pet food stores and they are Canadian owned/franchised. We do not need another Pet store:( Was really hoping for a clothing store or a higher end restaurant, this is what our Town needs.
Well thats a real disappointment.We have enough pet related stores in Huntsville already and sadly at least one of the present pet businesses will most likely disappear. 🙄🥺
Well this announcement was hardly worth all the secrecy.
We will now have 4 pet food stores. A new “American owned” chain right across the street from our “Canadian owned” PetValu.
Hopefully customers will support Canadian and local private businesses, shopping at PetValu and Gus & Gigi’s.