Posted: 1/11/05
K-9 Xpres pet store comes to Caledonia
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
A pet store that is a dream come true for its owner is opening in Caledonia this weekend.
K-9 Xpres, located in the Caledonia Mall, will have its grand opening on Saturday and Sunday.
(Caledonia Mall is in the old Caledonia Elementary School building.)
Store owner Marcie Jenson decided to try a pet store after having success first in training dogs, then in boarding them at her home in rural Hokah.
Barb Haverty, a pet owner from Caledonia, wanted to see training classes offered year-round in Caledonia, and told Jenson about the school facility.
Jenson took the idea one step further and decided to open a pet store. She managed Petco stores in Rockford and Dekalb, Illinois, for four years.
ìIíve been dealing with animals probably since I was a kid,î she said on January 7 while the store was being fixed up.
She admitted that opening the store is a gamble, but itís a dream that she wants to pursue. ìJust because animals have been my passion my entire life.î
She sees the need for a pet store here, since there isnít another one between Decorah and La Crosse.
ìI really value pets, I really do, and I think every family should have one,î she said.
Thatís why she is inviting two different non-profit pet adoption agencies to her store as part of the grand opening.
On Saturday, Paws for Cause will be there from noon to 4 p.m., with mostly cats.
On Sunday, Noahís Bark will bring many dogs, as well as two guinea pigs and a house-trained rabbit. Jenson offers five weeks of free training to anyone who adopts a pet. She plans to have visits like this regularly.
The store will sell pet food and treats, and products like collars, leashes, and bowls.
There are ìSweet Sleep Pet Bedsî that Jenson makes herself. ìWe even have baby blankets for the pet lover,î Jenson said. These are also home-made.
The store will also offer pet grooming in about a month.
K-9 Xpres will be open Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays from noon-5 p.m.
Jenson welcomes questions or comments from people. She can be reached at 507-482-6871 (home) or 507-459-2820 (cell).
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com