Greenport pet boutique moving into old White’s Hardware
The former White’s Hardware storefront in Greenport Village will become the new location of an existing village business that’s been looking to move into a larger space.
That business is Harbor Pet boutique, which opened on Front Street in August, said Harbor Pet owner Kimberly Loper said.
Ms. Loper said that, among other things, she needs a larger space to house her Life is Grruff line of all-natural gourmet dog treats.
“We want to put everything under one roof,” said Ms. Loper.
The bigger space will also better accommodate larger dogs, she said. Additionally, she said the extra room will make it possible to offer more services, such as doggy daycare and regular events that would include adoption days in coordination with the North Fork Animal Welfare League. She’s planning to sign a lease soon.
It’s not just the roomy space that drew her to that storefront, Ms. Loper said.
“I fell in love with that building,” she said. “It just feels right, like I need to be in there.”
This is the first time in more than 80 years the storefront will house something other than White’s Hardware.
In May, after nearly two decades in business, hardware store owners Stuart Kogelschatz and an ex-wife, Therese, each announced plans to close their Main Street business and auction off its inventory.
The couple had purchased the business from Bob White, whose father established White’s Hardware in 1930. Mr. White took over the store after serving in World War II and ran it for nearly 50 years before selling it to the Kogelschatzs in 1990.
Mr. White, who still owns the building, initially hoped a buyer would purchase the business and keep it as is, though on Wednesday he said he’s happy to have Ms. Loper rent the space.
“She wants to move in and that is OK with me,” he said.
The store has been sitting empty since all its products were auctioned off in August, Mr. White said.
Ms. Loper said she is currently in talks with contractors to renovate the store’s interior. She will also need approval from the village’s historic preservation committee and Planning Board before hanging her Harbor Pet boutique sign outside the storefront, she said.
