The Evanston Pet Center at 820 Dempster St. is officially open as of Sept. 12. Owner Alex Dowd cut the ceremonial blue ribbon and welcomed a group of friends and community members into the store. While the business opened in early August, Friday served as the formal launch.
Welcome addition to Main-Dempster Mile, Nieuwsma says
Councilmember Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th Ward) spoke first.
“Thanks everybody. I think everybody knows me,” he said “I’m Jonathan Nieuwsma, of the Fourth Ward, city councilmember. We are in the middle of the Fourth Ward. We are so pleased to welcome a new business to the Main-Dempster Mile, and happy that the city could be expeditious in delivering the permits and that you guys are all set up. So looking forward to having you guys help the Evanston Police Department take care of their most beloved member” he said referencing EPD’s bearded dragon mascot, Reggie.
Evanston Pet Center’s owner Dowd spoke next, welcoming the crowd. He said, “Thank you all for coming and welcome to the new Evanston Pet Center. It is my great privilege to open up here, and we look forward to taking care of all the different animals and pets in our community, and we are very excited, and we welcome your help in making Evanston Pet Center a new local landmark.
“We offer specialty pets and pet supplies. Our services include boarding for small animals, reptiles and birds. We’re going to be doing nail trims as well on the first Sunday of every month, and we offer custom terrarium and aquarium building setups as well. We do birthday parties and events. If you want ball pythons or a few guinea pigs and rabbits to show up for your event, you can get in contact with us, and we can make it educational as well.”
Lots of experience with exotics
Dowd has a lot of experience taking care of exotic animals. He worked at the Wilmette Pet Center for several years until it closed then started his own business, the Evanston Reptile Hotel and Spa. Dowd’s mother Jane Shlaes said he ran it out of two woodsheds off her driveway. Shlaes said, “He climatized them, insulated them, created habitat for boarding and that was for several years.”
Shlaes described Dowd’s interest in exotic animals as a calling, and described the services he offers in detail.
“Just this year, he opened the commercial space and expanded it to include small animals,” she said. “So it is fish, small animals, reptiles, birds and all their supplies for sale. And then they all hotel here. So if you go on vacation, you need somebody who understands the unique needs of a reptile. It’s not like you can have anybody or just take them anywhere.
“They need special lighting and warmth and temperature, and they need bathing, and they need live food. So he is able to do all that. And then he’s got this bug club where he delivers bugs to people who are reptile owners. So he’s been here and opened last month, and we’re excited to finally have our ribbon cutting. As you can see, he does once a month, walk-in nail trims, and he’s also doing parties and events with fun.”
Several members of the Evanston Police Department were on hand as a show of support. The RoundTable asked if they were looking for a possible mate or friend for their colleague, Reggie, but EPD would not confirm.
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