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Kimberley Foley purchased the former Kritter Korral pet store more than a year ago, but this weekend marks the official grand opening celebration of the remodeled and renamed store at 1724 Palos Verdes Drive North, Harbor City (at the corner of Western Avenue and PV Drive North).

Dino's Pet Shoppe (named after one of the owner's springer spaniels) will offer three days of special shows, along with vendor booths and other specials.

Here's the schedule:

• Friday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Bird Experience will put on a bird show. Hand-fed birds also will be on display and for sale.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to noon, Illusions by Allen, a show featured at the Magic Castle, with "magic with animals;" 1 p.m., ribbon cutting ceremony with the Lomita Chamber of Commerce; 1-2 p.m., reptile and bug show.
• Sunday: 2:30 p.m. Blessing of the Animals to be held in the store's parking lot; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., pet adoptions; discounts on the store's newly remodeled self-serve dog wash ($12 per dog, a savings of $4).

Information: 310-514-4924

A new round of beginning dog obedience classes begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday (March 6) taught by retired LAUSD special ed teacher Barbara Millman. Barbara's been training dogs for many years now and raises champion Shetland sheepdogs.

Rocket, Tess & Cowboy have all gone through her class.

Barbara's excellent, she trains with a gentle touch and keeps up with the latest dog training ideas. She's also active in the Lomita Obedience Training Club which offers numerous classes.

The six-week class (7th week is graduation) is held in the parking lot outside Kritter Korral Pet Shop (in the process of being changed to "Dino's Pet Shop" under new ownership) at 1724 Palos Verdes Drive North (at Western Avenue) in Harbor City.

The first class this Saturday is an orientation for owners only, so don't bring your dogs.

Cost is $60 which allows you to bring the dog back for refreshers for free.

Call 310-514-4924.

(There will be a break in this next session as Barbara will be out of town in March for a while.)

 

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.