New Pet superstore up and running in Conway | News | myhorrynews.com

Reporter

Owner Jeff Pangman greets a new customer at his Pet Supplies Plus store in the Bay Village Plaza off Highway 501 in Conway on Nov. 1, 2024. (Photo by Casey Jones/[email protected])

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, up 10.68% from the prior year.

Jeff Pangman sees no end to this pet-pampering trend, so the Michigan native and Conway resident is going all-in.

He's poured his savings into a new Pet Supplies Plus superstore in the Bay Village shopping plaza across Highway 501 from Conway High School.

A grand opening is planned for Nov. 23-24. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

“I think people love their animals as much as they love their kids,” said Pangman, 59, who has two dogs of his own. He’ll run the store with his girlfriend Kelly, and has brought 16 employees on board.

“We got the right people — people who smile and welcome customers; people who really love dogs and cats,” he said. “We’re going to engage every customer who walks in, and be able to give them what they’re looking for.”

Employees are knowledgeable in animal care and can advise customers on everything from proper aquarium temperatures to proper nutrition for your dog or cat.

Or parrots, ferrets, hamsters, spiders, snakes, fish, etc. The store sells all manner of popular small pets and exotics, along with all the accessories to feed, treat, groom, exercise and entertain your animals. The newly renovated and brightly lit store features 9,000 square feet of sales space.

Dog grooming is also offered, and plans are in the works to offer cat bathing and nail-trimming services — something owners might be reluctant to try on their own.

Jeff Pangman has opened a Pet Supplies Plus pet superstore in Conway. A grand opening celebration is set for Nov. 23-24, 2024. (Photo by Casey Jones / [email protected])

The store's “state-of-the-art pet wash” features a quick and easy single-nozzle system for soap, rinse, flea/tick spray, conditioner and sanitizer. “It’s a new type of system that just came out last year,” Pangman said.

Pet Supplies Plus started as a single pet store in Michigan in 1988, and has grown to more than 700 outlets.

It’s spread into the southeast, and there’s already a location in the South Strand, and a loyal customer base. “We’ve had a lot of customers come in and say they’re ’so happy’ that we’re here because they won’t have to drive to Murrells Inlet,” Pangman said.

The store has joined the chamber of commerce and Pangman has plans to support the community, including by providing dog and cat adoption services, vaccination days, and special events like pet photos with Santa and trick-or-treat for animals.

Pangman said he likes the location, noting the sprawling strip mall is full, creating plenty of foot traffic. Leashed pets are welcome, and Pangman said the store will match the price of any competitor.

Reach Casey Jones at 843-488-7261 or [email protected].

Reporter

Log In

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,racist or sexually-oriented language.PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.Don't Threaten. Threats of harming anotherperson will not be tolerated.Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyoneor anything.Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ismthat is degrading to another person.Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link oneach comment to let us know of abusive posts.Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitnessaccounts, the history behind an article.