Couple to open Petland store in Boardman

THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN
BOARDMAN -- A Youngstown couple that operates Petland stores in Akron and Cranberry Township, Pa., is opening one in Boardman.
The pet store will open July 6 on Market Street across from Southern Park Mall.
Gary Winslow, who owns the store with his wife, Sharon, said the store will sell dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and fish. There will be open petting areas so people can get close to the animals, he said.
Winslow said the store will work with animal shelters to help place unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. It will work with Animal Appeal, a shelter and rescue organization in Hermitage, Pa., to place unwanted animals.
The store also will take pets to schools to teach about pet care and to nursing homes to visit the elderly.
Winslow is a Kentucky native who came here to open a Docktor Pet Center franchise in the mall. He lost that business, however, when the franchisor closed operations.
He previously had run pet stores in Texas and Pennsylvania.
The Winslows own the other two Petland franchises with partner Jeff Reisman. Petland is based in Chillicothe and was founded in 1967. It has about 165 franchise locations in six countries.