Help save Chico’s Natural Pet Market
Chico’s Natural Pet Market, a popular store at 6349-A Columbia
Pike, in Barcroft Plaza, is facing some challenges, and the company’s founder
and president, Danielle Areco, is inviting customers and community members to
the store on Thursday, April 25, at 8 p.m., to help brainstorm possible solutions.
Pike, in Barcroft Plaza, is facing some challenges, and the company’s founder
and president, Danielle Areco, is inviting customers and community members to
the store on Thursday, April 25, at 8 p.m., to help brainstorm possible solutions.
There will be refreshments, including Brazilian hors
d’oeuvres and cocktails.
d’oeuvres and cocktails.
Here’s the invitation to the meeting from Areco, which
provides a brief outline of the situation:
“It’s been a long and exciting journey for Chico’s Natural
Pet Market. Since we opened five years ago, we have grown steadily and built a
sizable customer base and excellent reputation in the Falls Church area. We are
proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.
Pet Market. Since we opened five years ago, we have grown steadily and built a
sizable customer base and excellent reputation in the Falls Church area. We are
proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.
“But we are currently struggling to stay in business and the
one thing that has concerned us has been Federal Realty’s apparent
unwillingness to negotiate our rent. For that reason, we are seeking advice
from the community.
one thing that has concerned us has been Federal Realty’s apparent
unwillingness to negotiate our rent. For that reason, we are seeking advice
from the community.
“Although we believe we can reach profitability by making
some adjustments to the business, including adding more services, we have some
financial challenges. Our main investor has decided to concentrate on other
areas and is withdrawing financial support. In order to keep our doors open, we
are currently reaching out for help.
some adjustments to the business, including adding more services, we have some
financial challenges. Our main investor has decided to concentrate on other
areas and is withdrawing financial support. In order to keep our doors open, we
are currently reaching out for help.
“At the same time, our lease expires in May. This brings us
to a crossroads. We must decide whether to close the business or seek new
investors who would like to leverage what we have already built and take it to
the next level.
to a crossroads. We must decide whether to close the business or seek new
investors who would like to leverage what we have already built and take it to
the next level.
“As a result, we’re inviting our customers and other
community members to a meeting to help us come up with a plan to save our business.
community members to a meeting to help us come up with a plan to save our business.
“It is with great excitement that I share with you that Del.
Kaye Kory has confirmed her attendance. I am very honored and encouraged by her
presence and the opportunity to have her involved in this conversation.
Kaye Kory has confirmed her attendance. I am very honored and encouraged by her
presence and the opportunity to have her involved in this conversation.
“We are very interested in your input. We are looking for
creative, innovative ideas, as well as community activists and business
partners.”
creative, innovative ideas, as well as community activists and business
partners.”
2 responses to “Help save Chico’s Natural Pet Market”
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This is the best pet store ever.
Wait a minute, the business has been open for five years but has not turned a profit? ("we believe we can reach profitability…"). And the plan to do so depends on the landlord agreeing to drop the negotiated rent to some below-market rate? No wonder the investor backed out!
I think Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank would say it's time to take this idea behind the barn and shoot it. It may be a lovely store, but it sounds like it's not a viable business.