On Jan. 23, Berthoud Pet Supply and owner Marleene Buttice (middle) held and official ribbon cutting with the Berthoud Chamber of Commerce and locals in attendance. (Will Cornelius/The Surveyor)
By Shelley Widhalm
The Surveyor
Berthoud’s newest pet store Berthoud Pet Supply offers not only a full line of products for pets but for the humans who love them.
“I’ve never seen a pet store that also speaks to the person who has the pet,” said Marleene Buttice, owner and pet enthusiast of Berthoud Pet Supply, 115 Turner Ave. “It’s like half of the relationship is missing. I want a store that looks at that relationship.”
Berthoud Pet Supply hosted a soft opening Jan. 7 and a grand opening and ribbon cutting Jan. 23 to welcome pet enthusiasts to its offering of pet food, supplies and gifts for dogs, cats, small animals, chickens and, at a later date, birds, reptiles and introductory fish. There’s also a full line of products for the humans who love their pets, including animal-themed art, clothing, home fixtures, candles, mugs, kitchen items and books, as well as plants and pots.
Buttice, a Berthoud resident, is opening Berthoud Pet Supply to offer a local place to shop for a variety of animal products and supplies without having to drive to Loveland or Longmont, plus she simply loves animals. She and her family have two dogs, two cats, three gerbils and two fish, some of which will visit the store, which used to be a vet clinic and remains an animal-related service.
“In opening the store, I’m being the most vulnerable I’ve ever been in demonstrating who I am as a human being because of my love of pets and all things animals,” Buttice said. “What I’m most excited about is sharing my experience with others, especially with kids.”
Buttice offers a full range of premium and high-quality products, such as nutritious food, durable toys and supplies, and even CBD products for pets. She focuses on products that are locally made and eco-friendly with minimal packaging.
The departments at her store are many and include pet travel and transport, beds and comfort, food and feeding supplies, training and house supplies, grooming and wellness, litter and waste management, accessories and apparel, and collars, harnesses and leashes, plus she plans to bring in memorial gifts and senior dog care items.
“I reach out to the community and ask what they want,” Buttice said.
If Buttice doesn’t have a particular item in stock, she’ll make recommendations, and she’ll be able to answer questions about the differences among the different products. She and her staff of two to three part-timers will provide personalized service and research-oriented advice to make sure pet owners make informed decisions to get the best products for their furry friends.
“I was a teacher for 12 years, so education is really important to me,” said Buttice, who taught middle and high school math in Boulder County and California, plus worked in the field of international business for two years and human relations consulting for five years. “I plan on providing educational materials, since it comes down to what’s best for you and your families.”
Berthoud Pet Supply aims to be a community, where pet owners can attend community events like adoption days and workshops, plus it serves as an educational resource by providing weekly blogs with tips on pet health, nutrition, training and the human-animal bond. There also are seating areas, a kids section with coloring sheets, and a fenced-in yard in back, where customers are welcome to bring coffee and lunch, as well as their pets, which are welcome inside the store as well.
“There’s this feeling of being able to hang out with your pet,” Buttice said. “It’s not just a shopping experience. … It’s a community hub for people who love animals.”
Berthoud Pet supply is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. For owners with anxious pets, the store opens early by appointment so pets can be in the store alone with their owners. To set up an appointment, email [email protected].
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