by Mary Rupert
The new PetSmart store at 7738 State Ave. in Wyandotte Plaza is having a “soft” opening this week, preparing for a grand opening at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 11.
New store manager Bob Irwin said there will be many prize drawings and giveaways at the grand opening on Saturday. No purchase will be necessary for the drawings.
A ribbon-cutting also is planned at 9 a.m. Saturday, he said. Also on hand for the grand opening on part of the day Saturday will be the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City for cat adoptions.
A pet trainer will be on hand Saturday at the store to teach “high fives” for free to dogs in the training center, for those who bring their dog in.
Irwin said the new store, the first PetSmart in Wyandotte County, will feature grooming services for dogs, training services for dogs, all the supplies necessary for dogs and cats, as well as small and furry animals and fish. The store will sell fish, small animals, snakes and birds, he added.
The new store is at the former Price Chopper site at the west end of Wyandotte Plaza. It was remodeled during the past several months.
Irwin is an 11-year employee at PetSmart and most recently comes from the St. Joseph, Mo, store. He said he has been stationed at many PetSmart stores in the area.
The store is part of the 230,000-square-foot Wyandotte Plaza redevelopment. PetSmart has more than 1,232 stores nationwide, according to the company website.
Next door to the new PetSmart is a new Marshalls store, also to open this spring.