When the Pet’s Life of Allentown pet supply store moved out of its original Church Street quarters, owner Denise Mummolo had trouble finding a new location, so Mummolo put everything in a van and made a store on wheels.
“It has the shelving, treats, collars and everything. People can call and order food, and we’ll deliver it,” she said.
Pet’s Life of Allentown eventually moved across the street, two doors down from La Piazza. But even though it was back indoors, the store on wheels is still rolling.
In May, Mummolo will celebrate her third anniversary of owning Pet’s Life of Allentown. Aside from the mobile store, Mummolo said her business has a lot of supplies that may be hard to find at the larger pet stores, like a rubberized leash called the Wacky Walk’r. Mummolo said it works well for dogs that have trouble with pulling and owners with bad backs.
“A lot of people come in complaining about their back, and the Wacky Walk’r leads really help them out,” Mummolo said. “They’re hard to find, but we have them here.”
Pet’s Life of Allentown also carries sports jerseys for pets, bling collars, step-in harnesses and Thundershirts, which are shirts that wrap around a dog and are advertised to cure dog anxiety. Very soon, Pet’s Life of Allentown will be selling puppy purses, as well.
“I’m always trying to bring something new in,” Mummolo said.
One day, Mummolo hopes to bring in a chip scanner.
“Sometimes on the weekends, dogs are found and some of the customers will bring them here to see if I can find their owner,” Mummolo said. “I think having a chip scanner here would be a nice investment.”
Other than its extensive supplies, Pet’s Life of Allentown is also big on service. Mummolo said some large stores actually send people to her store because they don’t have the time or expertise some customers may need.
Mummolo said this happens a lot with dogs that are having problems with their food. Mummolo takes the time to supply her customers with samples to see which food the dog takes to best before the owner makes an investment in it.
“We also have a frequent buyer program for most of the foods that we carry,” Mummolo said. “I just found out recently that the big stores cannot do that.”
Mummolo said each frequent buyer program is different. Some programs are for every 10 bags of food, you get the 11th bag free. Some programs you get the 12th bag free.
“I keep track of it here, so people don’t have to worry about losing it or throwing the bag away,” she said. “I fill it out for them; I mail it. All they have to do is either wait for the coupon, or just come get their bag, and I do the paper work. It all depends on the program.”
Mummolo said her favorite part about owning Pet’s Life of Allentown would have to be her customers.
“I enjoy the people and the dogs the most,” she said. “I have one day off a week, and really, I hate being at home. I feel guilty being away from here just in case somebody needs something. I don’t think I have a customer that I don’t like to deal with.”
Mummolo said her relationship with her customers is extremely important to her. If someone is looking for something, and she doesn’t have it, she will do her best to find it and bring it in for them.
“I just love this business,” she said.
Pet’s Life of Allentown is located at 7 Church Street in Allentown. For more information, call (609) 223-2290.
Pet’s Life owner Denise Mummolo holds her daughter’s dog
