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1. villagegreen
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   So, back when talk of the Mural building project was going on I remember Petco essentially saying that without the rear parking there was no way they would be able to stay in their current Junction location. This news overjoyed me as Petco is a huge eyesore to foot traffic in the junction (and also a dump on the inside) - their proper place is down at Westwood Village.

   However, I\'ve heard nothing about them leaving recently. Does anyone know if they\'re staying put or not? Please tell me they\'re still leaving!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

2. JimmyG
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   I could care less if they stay or go since I use Pet Elements on California, or Horizon Pet in Burien.

   But what exactly does a \"huge eyesore to foot traffic\" mean?

   Posted 3 years ago #         

3. Shibaguyz
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   And why is their proper place down in Westwood Village??

   We don\'t shop at Petco either but I\'m confused as to why something that is an \"eyesore\" and a \"dump\" in the Junction would be any more well placed in Westwood Village?

   We live near Westwood Village and they keep it very well manicured and clean. The shops are nice and there is even a decent, local-sourced restaurant there.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

4. villagegreen
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   Retail stores at sidewalk level should have front windows where people walking by can see into the store and feel welcomed. Petco\'s window displays appear to have been in place since the late 90\'s and don\'t afford any view into the business.

   Nothing about that place makes me want to venture inside. It\'s uninviting, aesthetically offputting, and doesn\'t fit in with the surrounding businesses.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

5. villagegreen
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   Shibaguyz - I apologize for the misunderstanding. I\'m not saying Westwood Village is a dump or an eyesore. I\'m just saying that a big box store like Petco would fit in there better than with the smaller scale shops of the Junction. Maybe the management would take better care of the place if it moved down there.

   I like Westwood Village and go there quite a bit (don\'t know how I\'d survive without Target). However, big chain stores don\'t belong in the Junction. They belong at Westwood Village.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

6. Jiggers
   Member Profile

   

   All I know is that Petco is super dirty and needs to clean their floors or remodel them period. It kind of makes that side of the block look runned down. They also don\'t put any emphasis/effort on putting up nice displays(windows) in the junction side,clean their windows,mop the front entrance floors etc... in the front to make it look respectable.. I used to use Petco as a detour to get to the other side before they decided to build another high end multi use project that cut off walking traffic to Safeway or Bartells. Anyways, its not my problem but just the way I see it.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

7. WSB
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   When we talked to Petco media relations some time ago, they said they wanted to find a place in West Seattle. The Junction is not their permanent home, at least not that spot - it\'s been up for lease for quite some time. But the original proposal to build a new store at the Charlestown Cafe site semi-died right before the Charlestown fire in February. Probably time to check back with them and see if they\'ve made any progress. -- TR

   Posted 3 years ago #         

8. RainyDay1235
   Member Profile

   

   >>Petco\'s window displays appear to have been in place since the late 90\'s and don\'t afford any view into the business.

   So true! That store is very worn down and does not fit with the vibe at the Junction. Whatever happened to Petco moving to the Charleston Cafe site? Obviously that did not happen, but maybe they are still looking to move and did not want to spend any $ on upgrades for now...?

   I think Westwood and the Junction have both done a fairly good job of mixing scale between large and small shops. Both are very \"walkable\". Funny story: my friend from Europe visited me and she asked me if it was normal for people to drive to one store and then get in their car to drive to another one in the same area, LOL!

   Give Pet Elements (local, so cute!) or PetPros (sort of local) - a try!

   http://www.petelements.com/ (California)
   http://www.petpros.org/ (Westwood)

   Posted 3 years ago #         

9. changingtimes
   Member Profile

   

   im not sure i agree, although i am a huge fan of Mudd Bay for my dogs, its great to walk down the street and pick up some hampster and bird stuff for the other half of my zoo :)

   Posted 3 years ago #         

10. Bernicki
    Member Profile

    I was in Petco a couple days ago, and noticed that the bird room (where they kept the parrots) was completely empty. I asked the cashier about this, and she said that business has dropped off so dramatically since the loss of the parking lot that they no longer carry parrots.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

11. GenHillOne
    Member Profile

    Reptile tanks were also pretty - if not completely - empty as well. Didn\'t ask, but may be same story there. I don\'t think Petco can survive in that location without parking. I\'m with changingtimes in that there are supplies we need, beyond dog/cat, that we can\'t get anywhere else and I\'d hate to have to go to Southcenter.

    Re: the aesthetics of window placement, etc...let\'s remember that it stood vacant for a long time (now that was attractive) and before that, it was a grungy bingo hall (equally attractive). In a thread way back, I believe someone mentioned that it was a grocery store ages ago. While not winning any awards, I think it\'s better than what it was and hope that its next reincarnation will be better.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

12. JimmyG
    Member Profile

    

    Way back when it used to be a Tradewell grocery store, who knows what it was before that.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

13. PSPS
    Member Profile

    Yes, it was a Tradewell store for many years, back when the Jefferson School building was still standing.

    Remember when the big thing was mood lighting in groceries and Saturday night specials to try to make them into pickup joints? The Tradewell was there at that time and painted their ceilings black and installed spot lighting everywhere.

    I remember getting hit on there by a girl once back in those days.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

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