Pets Pantry owners retire after 44 successful years

Back in 1980, Karen Dutton-Hodgkins took a gamble and decided to open Pets Pantry.

Karen knew there was a demand for a pet shop in the village after working in a chemist where customers would often request pet vitamins and wormers.

So after running a boarding cattery in Appleton Thorn for five years, Karen found a property on Gaskell Street where she could both open a shop and live.

The community very much supported Pet Pantry, which sells pet supplies and offers expert advice, so Karen was soon able to employ more staff and in 1984, the business moved to London Road in a 21-year lease.

Soon after this move, Karen met her husband-to-be, Gary Hodgkins, who was a representative for a pet wholesale company and a former manager at a pet store.

With a lot in common, the pair hit it off and married in 1986, later starting a family of their own with two children.

The family had its fair share of pets over the years, welcoming the likes of dogs, cats, rabbits, African land snails, stick insects, budgies, and more.

Following the marriage, Gary then joined Pets Pantry, and for the next 37 years, the couple continued to build the business together.

Their different skillsets meant the business could continue to thrive and it has also helped them to work alongside each other for so long.

Karen, 65, and Gary, 62, then acquired the stores at the rear of the shop which meant they could acquire a larger range of products, and in 2011, they also launched a website which meant they could ship nationwide.

In 2005, the lease came to an end, so Pets Pantry moved just a few doors down on London Road, to a location which it still calls home now.

But now, it is time for the couple, who live in Appleton, to retire after finding the perfect owners to take over Pets Pantry.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, Karen said the couples’ favourite part of the running the shop has been helping customers.

“Both of us just love helping people,” Karen said.

“It is a service industry, and it is about the satisfaction of when somebody walks in and they have an issue and whatever it may be, you are able to find a solution and solve it with a product.

“It has filled us with satisfaction to know that we have helped somebody.”

There have been many highlights for Karen and Gary over the four decades, including receiving a silver award for pet retailing, being named Retailer of the Year in Warrington, and having a wonderful and dedicated team.

There are also personal achievements, for example Karen graduated with a degree in life science which she studied for alongside both running a business and a family.

And for Gary, completing book-keeping courses and business studies is a special achievement.

The couple with new owners Ellis and Gina (Image: Supplied)

Reflecting on Pets Pantry’s 44 years, Karen said: “I owe so much to those who have supported their local pet shop from a time when there were no pet superstores to now when there are a number of them.

“We have always had a point of difference with great customer service and pet advice with hand-picked quality products, giving a unique 360-degree pet experience that customers both local and far and wide visit to experience.”

As of this month, Karen and Gary are officially retired and Ellis and Gina, who are both local, are the new owners of Pets Pantry.

Ellis and Gina are experienced veterinary nurses and also run their own dog behaviour business, Trek n Train.

“They are so well placed to continue our level of service and knowledge and grow Pets Pantry with our valued team,” Karen said.

“We wish them all the best for the future which we know will be a bright one for them.”

Karen and Gary plan to have a relaxing retirement with plans for holidays, gardening, and continuing to enjoy cycling and open-water swimming.