Man who dreamed of owning pet store now has two
Vincent Minutolo loves animals, so much so he jumped at the chance to make his dream of owning a pet store a reality right in Shelton’s downtown.
Minutolo secured space in Riverwalk Place — one of the new retail/apartment developments on Howe Avenue — to open All Pets Corner, focusing on pet supplies and exotic animals, such as reptiles and birds. He expects to open the store in early May.
“I love animals ... always have,” said Minutolo, a Shelton resident. “I was excited just to open this pet shop in right here ... I just live up the street. It is a perfect spot.”
But as Minutolo searched for enclosures for this new pet store, he ended up expanding his ownership portfolio. After he made the commitment to open All Pets Corner, he said he began looking for necessary materials, such as enclosures for his reptiles.
While on the hunt, he visited Worldwide Fish & Pets on Amity Road in New Haven.
Worldwide Fish & Pets has been a staple in New Haven for some 16 years, but Minutolo said the owner — who had just taken over about a year ago — wanted out. And Minutolo jumped at the chance.
“I always wanted to own a pet store. Now in a matter of weeks, I have two,” he said.
Minutolo said both locations will offer exotic pets, from reptiles to birds to small animals like ferrets, chinchillas and rabbits. No cats or dogs will be sold, but he said he will carry supplies for all pets.
While Worldwide Fish & Pets was long known for its vast array of fish, which can be ordered online and shipped overnight, Minutolo said he will be adding reptiles, birds and small animals to this location as well.
The Shelton location will also have an area for people to wash their dogs. Minutolo said he has installed two large tubes for the self-washing option.
Minutolo has delved into small business ownership in years past. One was a car rental operation and the other a junk removal service. He got out of both and returned to the 9-to-5 world. But his love of animals never waned.
He has been a veterinarian technician, wildlife rehabilitator, an exotic bird breeder and an avian specialist, all of which he says led him to take the leap into pet store ownership.
“This is a perfect spot to bring my vision to life,” said Minutolo about the Shelton location.
“This will not be your typical pet store,” he added. “We will have a lot of exotics and a large variety of pet supplies.”
The original plan, he said, was to open in Hamden but a deal for space there fell through, so he turned his attention to downtown Shelton.
“I saw all the luxury apartments going in, and I found that many are pet friendly,” Minutolo said, adding that his closest competition is Pet Supplies Plus, which is far outside the city’s downtown.