Dot’s Pets Center to close

LIMA — A local store full of beloved animals is set to close its doors. Dot’s Pet Center in Shawnee announced its official closing Friday. According to the company website, the business has been in the community for over 30 years. Owner Evan Nieto purchased Dot’s about five years ago.

“During the pandemic,” Nieto said, “people were forced to have to purchase things online rather than go out and shop. We were deemed an essential business and we had to fight for it. A lot of the mandates that were put in place led to distribution centers operating at 50% capacity. There were shortages of food that led people to only be able to find their pet food online.”

Nieto also said shortly after the pandemic, the business was sustained until around two years ago, but the purchase of pet goods online caused the store to lose sales. Once the announcement was made, Nieto encouraged the community to continue to shop and support local businesses.

“I knew we had the best team in place and a great product,” Nieto said. “When it comes to the personal touch for our customers, we would carry the dog food out to people’s cars and try to set ourselves apart. At the end of the day, I view it from an economic standpoint. When you buy from brick and mortar in town, it directly benefits our city.”

The store does not have a definite closing date yet. Nieto said Dot’s will remain open until inventory runs out.

“It is sad Dot’s has to close,” Nieto said. “At the same time, I am grateful for the opportunity. Over the past five years, I have cultivated some of the best relationships and worked with some of my best friends. I have grown to call them family. I also had two little girls during my tenure here, this place holds a lot of memory.”

The company will also be discounting the goods for customers. For more information call the store at 419-991-6113 or visit dotspetcenter.com. The store is located at 3565 Shawnee Road.

Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.