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Posted on Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 5:56 a.m.

Pet Emporium to leave Copper Leaf Crossings for new Ann Arbor location

By Angela Smith

Pet Emporium is leaving Copper Leaf Crossings, a 23-acre complex for animal care located on Ann Arbor-Saline Road, manager Michelle Baber confirmed Monday.

The store’s new site will be on Washtenaw Avenue in the Lamp Post Plaza anchored by Trader Joe’s.

Copper Leaf Crossings still includes other businesses that provide services for pet owners, including Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital, Creature Comforts Bed & Bath, Copper Leaf Crossing Animal Park and the Creature Conservancy.

Though they will miss the neighboring businesses and Dog Park, owners John and Beth Lebert are very excited about the relocation, Baber said.

Baber said Pet Emporium tends to attract clients similar to those of Trader Joe's.

“The owners really wanted to be there,” Baber said.

Baber said three things set Pet Emporium apart from other pet stores: a knowledgeable staff, a focus on products made in the Michigan and elsewhere in the U.S. and a concentration on all-natural, raw and organic products.

The store does not sell pets, but does sell a wide selection of supplies and food and works readily with rescues.

“We plan to continue doing weekly adoption events on Sundays," Baber said.

John and Beth Lebert also own Pets 'N' Things on 541 E. Michigan Ave. in Saline.

According to an email sent to customers, that store will remain open:

Our other shop, Pets 'N' Things in Saline, will be adding many new lines of pet food, in order to serve those of you who may not be able to make it to The Pet Emporium's new location.

Pet Emporium is looking to hire two additional part-time employees, and is planning for a June 1 opening.

Angela Smith is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached via email at angieannarbor@gmail.com

Comments

WhyCan'tWeBeFriends

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 5:48 a.m.

Copper Leaf Crossing is a great facility with wonderful pet businesses. We take our pets to Animal Kingdom and have nothing but praises for them. We love driving by and seeing the dogs having fun in the dog park. We support the facility completely. But, if Pet Emporium feels that they will be better served at another location, we wish them well. Their rescue adoption efforts are appreciated immensely and might be better served at a very busy location like the Lamp Post Plaza. Fewer animals needing homes will be a really good thing! We used to stop in to see the adoptees even though we had no room for any more ourselves.

pegret

Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 5:55 p.m.

I'm not sure how much extra traffic the Pet Emporium will generate, but on weekends, the Lamp Post Plaza parking lot is already one big traffic jam. I'm sure it has cost Trader Joe's and others some business....I've been there on Saturdays when there were literally no parking spaces available at all.