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Article published Jul 11, 2009
Petland in Maryville closing; economy cited
By Robert Norris
of The Daily Times Staff
Petland in Maryville is going out of business.

Owner Brenda Oliveira said Friday that the local pet and pet-supply franchise will close in 1 to 1½ weeks.

Oliveira, who opened the franchise at 1500 W. Broadway Ave. six years ago, blamed the overall economy for the decision to shut the doors."No business. That's basically it. Lack of sales forced us out, like it has too many others," she said. "We just don't have the funds to continue. There's no other reason than for lack of funds."

She acknowledged that a public relations offensive by the Humane Society of the United States against the nationwide Petland chain could have affected sales.

"I'm sure to a degree it has," Oliveira said. "We've been slow for the past year or so."

The society alleged that some Petland stores had links to so-called puppy mills, large-scale breeding facilities operating under substandard conditions.

When the Blount County Humane Society joined the protest in January, Oliveira said the allegations were false.

Merchandise at the store is priced at 50 percent off, according to Oliveira.

"We still have pets. The dogs and cats are gone, but we have bunnies, ferrets, Guinea pigs, a lot of birds and a lot of fish. We need to see those get a home."

As for the humans?

"We're down to just three of us. Everyone here is looking for a job," Oliveira said. "Life goes on. You 'boohoo' and go on."

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