Harbor City's Kritter Korral under new ownership
Kimberley Foley, who founded Peninsula Dog Parks in 1998 and spearheaded the establishment of San Pedro's off-leash dog park that opened in 2002, is the new owner of the Kritter Korral Pet Shop in Harbor City.
The independent store -- at the corner of Palos Verdes Drive North and Western Avenue -- has been a mainstay in the community since it was opened in 1983 by Donna Holick (it was originally in the Park Plaza shopping center in San Pedro).
Dave and Melissa Jones bought the store from Donna in 2003 and now are moving on to prepare for overseas Christian missionary work (see the jump for more details on their plans).
With the sale of the store finalized on Feb. 1, Kimberley's already hard at work this week tearing out the carpet and preparing to re-do the self-serve dog wash tub and grooming area.
"I want it to be more of a day spa for dogs," she said, adding that two groomers are set to come onboard when the remodeled facilities are expected to be finished March 1.
Look for other changes to come, including a transition to a new store name, events and free gifts from time to time.
Anyone who's known Kimberley can testify that she's a whirlwind of creativity and hard work when she takes on a project that's close to her heart.
"She's definitely got the drive," Melissa said of their successor. "She's changing a lot of things, which sometimes is good. She's got a lot of great ideas."
She's also a keen watcher of the latest pet industry trends.
Kritter Korral at 1724 Palos Verdes Drive North will remain open while the remodeling continues (hours are 9-7 Monday through Friday, 9-6 Saturdays and 10-5 Sundays).
So stop by and offer your encouragement. Operating an independent store in an age of chains isn't an easy challenge. The store's phone # is 310-514-4924.
And if you're interested in Melissa and Dave's future plans, check the jump.
I'm going to miss these guys.
Dave & Melissa have worked long, hard hours keeping Kritter Korral a viable and more personal alternative for pet owners in the highly competitive pet merchandise market over the past 6 and a half years.
With Dave manning the cash register and Melissa doing all the grooming, they were a great team.
But all along, they sensed they might have a higher calling in life.
They'd always talked about going into mission work someday.
When they adopted a 16-month-old girl (Samantha) from Guatemala in 2008 (photo at left), the Christian couple began talking seriously about the dream.
"We've been praying about this for a very long time," Melissa told me this week.
Their future path was only confirmed earlier this year when they traveled to work at an orphanage in Haiti -- before the devastating earthquake -- with Child Hope International. After that, they were sure.
Members of King's Harbor Church in Torrance, they decided to sell the store and move back east to stay with Melissa's family in Pennsylvania so they could both return to school -- Melissa will attend nursing school full time to get her RN and Dave will continue his online seminary studies to become equipped to be a church a pastor.
They're not sure yet which mission field or country they'll wind up in eventually. But they're both learning to trust that it will all become clear -- one step at a time.
"Whatever God calls us to is always what's on our hearts," she said.
Blessings to them both. Melissa and Dave are in town for another 6 months -- Dave is helping Kimberley out with the store transition -- while their older kids finish up the school year (little "Sam" is now almost 3 years old).
Then, it's off to what will surely be a new and different kind of adventure.
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About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
I am soooooo glad I read this article, as I had no idea why Dave & Melissa sold Kritter Koral. I have missed them, and it doesn't seem the same without cutie pie Samantha asking me where my shoes are. Kimberly has been a delight to get to know. Dave & Melissa will be happy their "home away from home" is being well taken care of. I will keep your family in prayer as you have so many new transitions to go through ... I would encourage you to find a home church ASAP.
Thank you for your friendship, furbabies, smiles, and the security I also felt knowing you two were available. God bless you and your precious family :o)
I posted earlier but it didn't seem to register so this is a redo. I wish Melissa, David and family the best in their special calling as it evolves. I look forward to being part of the current pet adoption events held on Sundays at the pleasure of Kritter Korral that has welcomed several rescue groups for the last 6 years or so. I think it is a great community service and brings potential clients for adoption as well as to the store itself.
As a canine rescue, I have joined with other animal rescue groups to showcase our adoptable dogs at Kritter Korral for the last few years. It has been productive and we also have utilized the self serve dog wash for our rescues. I hope this reciprocal community service will continue with the new owner.
Arleen Rooney
St. Anthony's Canine Rescue
Lomita, CA
I just came from Kritter Korral where Kimberely was working so diligently on refurbishing the facility. I've known Kimberely for many years and she does everything 1st Class and am looking forward to seeing the New & Improved facility succeed. GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND!
Jake, our toy poodle, has been coming to Melissa for his grooming for the past 3 years. We searched and searched for a groomer when we first got Jake and found Melissa to be the BEST! Melissa will be missed.
Congrats to both of you on your new endeavor and thank you for your service.
We have been going to Kritter Korral since we adopted Indi two and half years ago! It was important to us to help our local economy and support the independent store owners. We bought all of Indi's stuff from there and continue buying her food and treats from Kritter Korral. Dave was of great help when we were searching for some type of dog food that Indi's sensitive stomach could easily digest. I hope the new owner will not stop carrying the holistic brand of food, otherwise we are in trouble!
Congrats to the new owner Kimberley, we look forward to meeting you!
Melissa and Dave's future can't but be bright as they are such wonderful people. I think they will most definitely be successful in all of their endeavors. Thank YOU for being so kind and always offering excellent customer service to us pet owners. :)
While I'm very happy that Melissa and Dave will be moving on to doing something they have been dreaming of, they will be missed.
Sherman and Cosmo will also be missing Melissa.