Billings pet store shuts down and sells its stuff to benefit senior dogs

Billings, Montana – Lovable Pets is closing its doors after 16 years in Billings.

“We started out as a very small bakery. All we did was sell these little bakery treats around the corner over here. Just a tiny place where people could come in and spoil their dog,” said Lovable Pets owner Jeremy Hansen on Wednesday.

A pet store offering premium dog food, treats, and toys as well as dog washing stations and grooming services evolved from that modest bakery. Additionally, there are two locations in Billings.

“We were able to build this good-sized small business and we were able to double it,” added Hansen.

The increased popularity of Internet purchasing had a negative impact on numerous enterprises. The opening of PetCo, a large chain store, in Billings followed suit.

“We got into more of the natural grocer’s type of business, so we’re all-natural dog food. We built special diets for your dog, for raw diet if your dog is having health issues…A lot of this raw diet and natural pet food went everywhere, it went global because people wanted it, which is a good thing. People want really healthy dogs and pets… But we weren’t unique anymore and we got concreted into these expensive rents and we couldn’t make that change to be able to survive in Billings, Montana,” Hansen added.

Hansen is giving up the firm after months of attempting to make it succeed. Only Hansen’s love for doing the right thing for their clients and staff came close to rivaling their love for animals.

“Lovable Pets wanted to try to always do right by not only its customers but also its employees. So, we offered retirement plans, through 401ks, and we also offered health insurance. We tried to take care of our family,” Hansen said.

The operating expenditures eventually become unaffordable.

“We were losing quite a bit of money. We were losing about three to four thousand a month, just in these last three to four months and that depleted my savings really quick. To the point where I actually had to get out a loan to pay my employees. That was kind of the deal breaker. You just can’t survive that way very long, especially when you can’t make changes,” Hansen added.

In a novel method, Hansen is currently getting rid of all the machinery and stock that previously occupied his two Billings storefronts.

All items from Lovable Pets are being auctioned off, with all earnings going to Pooch’z B&B, a facility for senior canines.
“This is the kindest gesture that we’ve ever received and for Jeremy and Ellie (Jeremy’s wife) to say that all the proceeds are going to Pooch’z B&B, I was so overwhelmed. It just shows the love and compassion that they have for senior dogs and that they believe in us,” said Executive Director of Pooch’z B&B Marge Hall on Wednesday.
A chance to once more put their consumers and their preferred charity first.
“I’m just hoping that this is that big push of donation that will be like ‘wow, if they can do it going out of business and they’re doing a big start over financially, well I could do my part’,” Hansen said.