Marblehead Pet Supply Celebrates 10th Anniversary

More than 20 local residents crowded into Marblehead Pet Supply on Bessom Street Wednesday evening to celebrate the pet store's first decade of providing Marblehead pet owners with everything they need to keep a happy animal at home.

Joining many of those in attendance were the dogs that the store provides food, toys and services for. As the dogs took a closer look at each other, owners mingled throughout the store and talked about everything from dog food to grooming products. 

Among them was Leslie Duffy, who said she has relied on the pet store for everything she needs for the las ten years. Duffy said she moved to the Marblehead area from New York 22 years ago. On Duffy's arm was her tiny Yorkie mix, Peanut.

"I've been coming here for a long time," Duffy said. "They're great."

Family-owned since 2001, the store has had to expand into the shop-space next door, where customers can find a huge variety of treats, toys and an assortment of holistic foods.

Owner Jo-Ann Cerase purchased the store in 2001 and back then the pet store offered round-the-clock grooming in addition to pet-related retail. In 2002, she was joined full-time by her daughter, Kim and eventually they relocated to their current location on Bessom Street.

"This location was not set up initially with dog baths until we expanded six months after moving in," Kim Cerase said, "allowing us to operate Marbleheads' original self-serve dog wash."

Kim Cerase said the store sells almost exclusively holistic, organic and natural products, whether it be food or treats. Her family, she said, is always looking for new and unique items, especially those that are recycled and made in the United States.

The store also offers local pet owners with a seasonal open house that encourages them to experiment with a variety of free samples.

As they lined up outside the store Wednesday, customers, their children and their four-legged friends watched as Kim Cerase snipped the ceremonial red ribbon and set the store on a path that her family hopes will lead into the next ten years and beyond.