Bob Zuckerman has been working day and night to improve South Orange’s retail offerings for the past two and half years in his job as Executive Director of the South Orange Village Center Alliance.
After taking the job, he moved to South Orange, built a home here and is now taking his love of our tiny township one step further: Zuckerman and husband Grant Neumann are opening Pet Wants South Orange, a new urban feed store and pet supply emporium coming to town Memorial Day weekend.
Located at 67 South Orange Avenue, Pet Wants South Orange is a franchise of the Pet Wants Franchising Systems. The store will serve the communities of South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, Short Hills, Montclair, Upper Montclair, Glen Ridge, West Orange, Livingston and Summit. As part of being in the Pet Wants family, customers will be offered free delivery service to their homes.
Pet Wants is a new take on pet food and supplies. Designed as an “urban feed store,” each franchise features healthy food choices sold by the pound out of bins, as well as accessories and homemade dog treats and balms for dogs.
Although Pet Wants does not sell pets, it will host both pet adoption days throughout the year and store-sponsored community events for pets and families.
Zuckerman and Neumann decided to open the business in South Orange to invest in the town and surrounding area’s future.
“Investing in a storefront business has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. The Pet Wants product and business model really spoke to me – the food is nutritious, it’s made fresh in a plant that’s never had a recall and customers can either drop by the store or have the food delivered right to their door,” said Zuckerman. “I think customers will really love the quality and convenience Pet Wants offers.”
Zuckerman learned about Pet Wants while scouting businesses to recruit to South Orange in his role with SOVCA. If you’re worried that the Alliance is losing Zuckerman to the call of being his own boss, never fear! Zuckerman will remain full time at the helm of the Alliance as the day-to-day operations of Pet Wants will be handled by director of operations Jonathan Javins and his husband Jack Denelsbeck, who will serve as the marketing director. Javins has extensive experience in luxury retail and customer service and both men have a real passion for animals.
“When we learned about Pet Wants, a business dedicated to providing fresh, high-quality food for cats and dogs, I knew we stumbled across something special,” said Neumann. “It’s a perfect fit for the community we love so much.”
There’s another angle on this for Zuckerman and Neumann: The two are devoted to their two rescue cats Willie and Ozzie and wanted to provide them with an all-natural pet food alternative.
Pet Wants’ food is slow-cooked with all-natural high-quality ingredients like salmon, chicken, lamb and brown rice. The company makes the dog and cat food in small batches once each month to guarantee freshness and nutritional value. There’s no sugar added, no fillers and no animal by-products. Pet Wants never uses corn, wheat, soy or dyes, so the food is also a great fit for pets with allergies.
“More than ever people are concerned about their pet’s health needs. Pet Wants South Orange will ease their worry,” said Zuckerman. “Resident pet owners of the area will have more nutritious options for their dogs and cats.”
Customers will be able to order food for their companions by visiting the store, calling 973-762-4300, or ordering online at PetWantsSouthOrange.com (the website will be live shortly). Visit Pet Wants South Orange’s Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/PetWantsSouthOrange.
