Another Big-Box Store - PetSmart - Slated for Atlantic Avenue

Another big-box store is opening on Atlantic Avenue—further threatening the small town feel so loved in this part of Brooklyn.

Papers recently filed with the Office of the City Registrar list PetSmart, the big-box style pet store, as the intended tenant at 240 Atlantic Avenue, a huge storefront that sits beneath the 225 Pacific Street luxury condominium project in Boerum Hill.

Some residents expressed concern over the impact of yet another big-box store coming to the neighborhood, while others are just glad that something is becoming of the desolate stretch.

“Like anyone, I wouldn't mind saving a few bucks,” said Michael Weisberg. "But stores like PetSmart inevitably put small, locally owned shops out of business, robbing neighborhoods of their sense of community and place and making them like anywhere else. The savings aren't worth it.”

Hank Iglesias said he was thankful a store was opening at all.

“It would be nice just to have something on this block,” he said, motioning to a shuttered storefront and a parking lot across the street.

Ejaz Amed, owner of —one store down from the proposed PetSmart—called the stretch of Atlantic a “dead block.” He said there was high turnover in the storefronts and added that the shuttered store next to his had been vacant for almost the entirety of his twenty years in business.

Howard Kolins, President of the Boerum Hill Association, said the PetSmart, “might be an improvement."

"But I’m worried about the little guy who’s been a part of the neighborhood," he added.

Indeed, there are four other pet stores within a half-mile of the proposed PetSmart.  Several are only blocks away.

One nearby store is , a family-owned business located at 145 Smith St. The immaculate store carries organic foods, shampoos and beds for cats and dogs, as well as fish, birds and other small animal supplies. 

Jason Hong, an owner, thinks Loving Pet Food’s high-end, organic products, free, same-day delivery and excellent customer service will be reasons customers will choose his store over PetSmart. Nonetheless, he acknowledges it will be hard to compete.

"Distributors charge PetSmart less," he said.

Ed Saleh, an employee at , a New York City mini-chain at 155 Court St., also felt that many of that store’s high-end products wouldn’t be available at PetSmart.

“People like coming in a smaller store," he added.

Sandy Balboza, President of the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association, struck a more proactive tone.

“To be competitive with the big-box store, small, retail mom and pop stores need to give good service and serve the needs of the community,” Balboza said. “If they do, the community will support them.”

Balboza pointed to the as an example of one store that has thrived despite a nearby, big-box competitor—Barnes & Noble—by listening to the needs of the neighborhood.

PetSmart spokesperson Kelley Moore would not confirm the specific location, only that the company is opening at least one Brooklyn store with a target opening date of late 2011. Last week, Brownstoner reported that PetSmart was opening in the space.

According to Moore, “the process is in early stages" and "construction is just underway." The visible construction in progress at the site suggests a single store that will run the width of Boerum Place, between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street. PetSmart already has two stores in Manhattan, one in the Village and one in Harlem.

While PetSmart and the smaller pet shops may be able to co-exist, what isn't clear is how many pet owners actually shop for supplies in the neighborhood anyway. 

Alice Wu—walking her big German Shepard in front of PetSmart’s new location—said that she buys all her dog food online because its cheaper. Another passerby with a large dog in tow, Jennifer Dorrington, said the same. Dorrington also cited the need for someone to heft those big bags home for her. 

"It [PetSmart] isn’t going to change my shopping habits," she said.