Luzerne County pet store closing due to crime uptick
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A locally owned pet supply store is closing one of its locations after more than a decade due to a rise in crime in the area.
First, Village Pet Supplies and Gifts in Hanover Township say they reduced their hours at that location for that very reason, now, she’s closing her doors for good.
“This is home. I opened in Hanover Township 21 years ago. This is home. So it’s breaking my heart,” said Brenda Bartlett, owner of Village Pet Supplies and Gifts.
After an increase in criminal activity like drugs and theft in and around her Hanover Township store, Village Pet Supplies and Gifts owner Brenda Bartlett says she’s forced to make the difficult decision to shut her doors.
“It’s just problem after problem. It’s been happening for a couple years now. I’m in fear of my staff closing at night. I just can’t go on like this,” explained Bartlett.
Despite having cameras, Bartlett says thieves continue to strike the shop, taking a big toll on her small business.
“Not only the loss of theft is expensive to any store, but having to employ extra people to cover each hour is a huge expense just to keep everybody safe”, stated Bartlett.
Bartlett says in recent years, she’s seen the area decline.
“There’s a definite change in what we see here, and it’s all been in the last two to two and a half years and it was just like that it happened and very upsetting,” added Bartlett.
Through her sadness, Bartlett says she is grateful for those customers who have continued to show her business support.
“We have people who have been with us literally since we opened in 2003. That level of loyalty like most stores don’t experience that,” said Bartlett.
August 1 is the last day at the Hanover Township store, but Village Pet Supplies and Gifts will keep their Luzerne location open. It’s just a short drive from Hanover Township, with the same staff, and the same stock.
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