3 minute read
Timing Was Just Right for Tilley’s Pet Shop
Timing Was Just Right for Tilley’s Pet Shop
By Carina Elgin
When Megan Robitaille drove through Middleburg in February and saw the “Going Out of Business” signs on the windows of the Loyal Companion pet supplies store at 5B East Washington Street, she immediately had to call her husband, Drew Robitaille.
“How about we do a pet store?” she said.
Within days, they created a new LLC, made an offer and were on their way. Even they were surprised. As Drew said, “this wasn’t on the radar.”
Megan had enjoyed shopping at Wiley Wagg, the original pet store in the same location. In fact, she said, “it must be 20 years ago the founder of Wiley Wagg, Laura Clark, taught me the importance of feeding dogs properly.”
Wiley Wagg opened in 2002, the “pet project” of local Middleburg couple Laura Gresham Clark and husband, Larry. The original shop proved so successful, they opened five bustling Wiley Wagg stores in the Washington area. All sold top quality dog food brands, happy dog toys, and other items irresistible to dog and cat lovers. In 2016, a California-based natural pet food retailer bought the stores and then rebranded and eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidated.
Fortunately, Megan saw those signs just at the right time. She and Drew had recently sold their cattle farm; balancing the unpredictability of caring for cows and managing the schedules of their four children had become increasingly difficult. They were looking for a new project, and they loved the idea of making the old Wiley Wagg back into a fun, small town pet shop.
They have three bouncing Labradors and a Welsh Corgi named Tilley, the new shop’s namesake. Drew’s parents owned a feed and pet supply store in New Hampshire when he was a child, and he spent many hours there. Professionally, he’s been a show jumper, rider, photographer, and chef, but helping Megan in the store just fits.
“I’ve been feeding animals all my life, horses, cows, dogs, chickens,” he said. “And I like making sure each animal gets what it needs.”
They’ve done research to bring the best brands to town. And, carry a variety of healthy foods at different price points catering to all budgets. They purposely keep prices below those of Amazon and Chewy.
The Robitailles and store manager Cassie Craft are knowledgeable in dog food sensitivities and allergies, and can educate and recommend different products. They’ve also added new freezers so that they can offer different frozen and fresh foods, and work to sell only ethically responsible products.
There is much more than dog food. They have fun, unusual toys for all levels of chewers. They carry leashes and collars, “dog toiletries” and fluffy, cozy beds. They have significantly increased the foods and paraphernalia for cats. And they can order most anything you and your pets want.
Wiley Wagg founder Laura Clark is definitely impressed.
“Larry and I are absolutely thrilled that Middleburg’s pets and their people will have a wonderful store in Wylie Wagg’s former location,” she said. “It’s in the best of hands in the best of towns.”
