Petco Opens in Oroville

Petco Opens in Oroville

A gathering this morning of Oroville civic leaders including Mayor Linda Dahlmeier, Vice Mayor Thil Wilcox, several council members and City of Oroville Interim City Administrator, Pat Clark welcomed Petco, Oroville’s latest major retail store which has over 11,000 square feet in the Currier Square Shopping center.  The new store is located between Raley’s Supermarket and Marshalls Department Store.
Petco’s story began in 1965 when Walter Evans opened a mail-order veterinary supplies business with only five associates called UPCO – United Pharmaceutical Company. The first retail store opened in La Mesa, Calif. in 1976 and was an instant success. The mission then was to buy quality pet and veterinary supplies and sell them directly to animal professionals and the public at discount prices. With two stores in California, primary customers at that time were ranches, kennels, catteries and grooming shops. In 1979, UPCO changed its name to Petco to better connect the company with the pet supplies business. The first Petco opened just outside of California in 1980 in Tigard, Oregon, today Petco has over 1150 stores.
A grand opening event is scheduled for Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 9:00 A.M. which will feature special vendors, refreshments, an opportunity for pet adoptions and photos and the first 100 people will receive a special Petco Gift Card. The store is managed by Jeff Longwell who invites the community to stop by anytime prior to the grand opening as the store is now open for business with a large variety of products for your favorite critter.
–News Release from City of Oroville