BUSINESS: Feather in cap for Despatch’s animal empire
Shop started in garage as hobby grows into ‘biggest pet store’ in Eastern Cape
To me, the shop is a passion, not a business ... the customers know me by name
FROM modest beginnings in the garage of a Despatch home, the Kraaines pet store has evolved into an animal empire in its own right – arguably the largest in the Eastern Cape.
Having moved into new premises in the town’s Main Street late last month, Kraaines was now twice its previous size, owner Danie Bothma said.
“The previous shop was slightly smaller than 400m², and this one is [more than] 800m²,” he said.
“That makes us the biggest pet store in the province, and I am proud to carry this title in a small town like Despatch.”
The shop, which Bothma said was getting too big for its previous premises, was started as a hobby 22 years ago.
“I was 20 years old and had just started working.
“I couldn’t remember a time growing up when we didn’t have animals, so I built shelves and turned my dad’s garage into a pet shop.”
Word spread fast and the shop grew quickly, until Bothma quit his job at Star Bakery nine years ago to manage Kraaines full time.
“It’s always scary to make such a change, but I am very grateful for the loyal customers who supported me. We have clients coming from Humansdorp, King William’s Town and Somerset East to shop here.”
The shop sells a variety of pet food and pets, including chinchillas, snakes and guinea pigs.
But Bothma said their birds and tropical fish were especially popular.
“The animals are our first priority. To me, the shop is a passion, not a business. I do this for the love of it. I spend most of my day on the shop floor and the customers know me by name.
“My heart does not beat faster for money, but for happy customers.”
Many of these happy customers were children, he said.
“We often have school groups visit the store and the children love holding rabbits and snakes, as well as learning more about the fish.
“I want children to be actively involved, rather than being immersed in a tablet.”
Bothma, his wife Christel and their team of seven employees have barely caught their breath following the intensive move.
“It took about 17 weeks to move. We worked hard and did it all ourselves.
“My brothers built shelves and my mother still sent us food on the late nights,” he said.
“On the day we reopened, we worked until 3am and then returned at 6am to open the store.”
Customers have been responding well to the new shop, which bodes well for the future.
“We aren’t going to sit back now. We will grow bigger and stronger and keep going from strength to strength.
“There are still big things ahead,” Bothma said.