Bark and Beyond Pet Supplies in Grand Rapids has its grand opening in August 2023. Store owners Jennifer Hendrickson and Amy Wiltanen followed their passion and opened a business they believed would fill a gap in the area and meet a need in the community.
“My friend Jen and I were on a girls' trip and we were talking about what we wanted to do with our lives and what our purpose was,” Wiltanen explained. I took a closer look at how we started our business and decided to open a pet supply store since there was no pet supply store here. ”
Opening a pet supply store was the right decision for a pet owner who loved animals and wanted to make pet shopping easier for the community.
“I think we offer a lot of resources in terms of animal products that weren’t available before,” Wiltanen said. “It also means that people don't have to drive very far, it keeps them more local and they don't have to shop too much online or drive an hour and a half to order online. Ta.”
Both owners say a lot of thought goes into selecting quality items at Bark and Beyond.
“We have specialty foods that you would normally have to order online,” Hendrickson said. “Chicken medicine, reptile medicine. Supplements that you won't find in your neighborhood. We also do custom orders for our customers if needed. Therefore, we are a service on a personal basis. If they come to us, we can do it for the animals. We can help with whatever you need.”
The owner says that since opening, he has received many words of gratitude from customers for having a store in this area.
“We opened at the end of August and we are still as busy as ever and our customers are grateful to be here and to be open,” Wiltanen added. “And we still meet new people every day.”
The store will be hosting a live snake event on Friday, April 19th from 4 p.m.
