MASSENA - Karl Antwine said he’s always wanted to own a pet store and now that he’s retired his dream is just weeks away from becoming a reality.

Mr. Antwine and his wife, Brenda, shared their plans for K & B Pets & Supplieswith the village planning board this week. They were required to make an appearance before the planning board due to a change of occupancy at the location. A restaurant going into the site of a former eatery, for example, would not need planning board approval.

Listing off animals people could find at their shop, Mr. Antwine said, “mice, hamsters, crickets, assorted fish, bearded dragons, lizards, snakes and assorted birds.”

“We’ll also have the supplies that go with the animals,” Mrs. Antwine said.

Once the store opens it will give Massena a pet store for the first time in two years since Chuck’s Pet Center closed its doors in December of 2010.

“I’ve always wanted to do it and since I’ve been retired and Chuck’s is closed, I think this is the perfect opportunity,” he said.

Since he began sharing his plans with friends and family, Mr. Antwine said he’s received nothing but positive support.

“I’ve had a lot of people tell me that it was a great idea,” he said. “We really need a pet shop around here.”

Should things go well, Mrs. Antwine said she could even see the store expanding to include an even wider variety of pets and supplies.

The store, which will be located at 56 Willow Street will open is expecting to open its doors on Aug. 7.

Its hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

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