Nestled snuggly in the middle of Orange Avenue between 9th and 10th is Wag’N Tails. It may be small but it’s unmissable with its triangle roof top and dutch door, if you have a pet, it feels like home.
In Coronado, we see businesses fold and come back as something new over and over again. We’ve also seen a business replaced by something very similar. For instance, after Alexander’s closed, its location was used for Fire + Fly Artisan Pizza, another yummy pizza spot. The history of pet shops is the same in Coronado. Before Wag’N Tails, two other pet stores occupied the same location on Orange Avenue, but Wag’N Tails is here to stay!
Scott and Heather Grimes opened Wag’N Tails in 1999 with the idea to sell premium products, have a self wash, provide grooming, and promote and educate on the dire need to adopt animals instead of buying animals. Melanie Parks bought Wag’N Tails in 2005 and has kept the core values of Wag’N Tails the same. Since buying the business in 2005, Melanie has upgraded the self wash station and added many more unique items and bakery items. She also tries to keep Wag’N Tails as local as possible by selling mostly U.S. products.
Wag’N Tails also makes shopping easy for its Coronado locals. Summer traffic is notorious for being difficult in town, if you call Wag’N Tails and place an order, they will deliver it right to your house! This can be especially useful for the senior community and military, but they do deliver all over the island.
Another advantageous component of Wag’N Tails is that it posses items for both locals and tourists. It is perfect if you are trying to find a unique gift for an animal lover or if you are just picking up the essentials for your furry friend. Furry friend doesn’t just include cats or dogs either- Wag’N Tails has supplies for small mammals, birds, guinea pigs and more. If you don’t see what you are looking for up front, ask, they may have it in the back or they can order it for you.
A lot about what kind of business Wag’N Tails is can be explained simply by Melanie, “I don’t focus a lot on our competition. I want to focus on what we can do here, and if we are doing our job well then our competition really shouldn’t be an issue.” There is a reason that while other independent pet stores shutting down and Petco left the island a few years ago, Wag’N Tails is still here and still taking care of the island’s pets.
It is also important to keep in mind that Coronado is a community and everyone works together. The support Wag’N Tails gets from the community goes back to the community by supporting other local businesses like Coronado Cares, Paws of Coronado, Baja Sanctuary, and a vast amount of school groups.
Stay tuned and follow Wag’N Tails on Facebook for up to date information. Coming up next for Wag’N Tails are alternatives to raw food such as bringing in Freeze Dry and adding a raw line and new treats for dogs with allergies.
Wag’N Tails
945 Orange Avenue
(619) 435-3513
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Alyssa Ballard
Staff Writer
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