Pets Warehouse Moving In at Former Fashion Bug Storefront

Long Island-based pet supply chain Pets Warehouse will soon open in the former Fashion Bug storefront in East Setauket, the company's management confirmed Wednesday.

The Fashion Bug sign was taken down by the end of last week and interior renovations for the new store are already under way. The Pets Warehouse management said it is targeting an open date between April 15 and May 1.

The 12,000-square-foot store at 5010 Nesconset Highway will be the fourth Pets Warehouse location; its other stores are located in Selden, Copiague, and Carle Place. Pets Warehouse sells pet supplies, aquarium supplies, and live fish and corals from around the world.

"What attracted us to this new location is the great anchor Kohl's and other nationals, near other majors," said Bob Novak Jr., who co-manages the chain with brothers Brian Novak and Brad Novak.

Meanwhile, the closure of discount women's wear store Fashion Bug was among several hundred that came after its parent company, Charming Shoppes Inc., was sold to Ascena Retail Group Inc. in 2012, according to a June 2012 report published by Bloomberg Businessweek.

Novak Jr. said Pets Warehouse is the fourth-largest online retailer of pet supplies in the U.S., and also said they are planning two more locations slated for the fourth quarter of 2013.

With Petco locations in Lake Grove, Selden, Commack and Rocky Point, and PetSmart locations in Lake Grove, Port Jefferson Station and Commack, there is no shortage of competition for Pets Warehouse.

"Of course the next question may be how do we compete with the 800-lb gorillas," Novak Jr. said. "... Easy. We offer lower prices every day and we employ 'pet knowledgeable people' to help get the correct product or aquaria for your pet/home."