about us
My Local Pet Shop is a collective of Independent Pet Suppliers and Groomers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
We Keep Local, Local.
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My Local Pet Shop is a movement dedicated to keeping local, LOCAL.
We are a collective of Independent Pet Suppliers and Groomers who believe that San Francisco pet owners deserve the level of care and attention that only a local businesses can give. We know how important your pets are to you. We are committed to putting their well being above our bottom line, because we truly believe in what we do. Keeping local, LOCAL means that WE get to decide what kind of San Francisco WE want to live, work, and play in.
We know that Chain Stores have the power to change the character of our neighborhoods permanently. Chain Stores are restricted unless they meet certain criteria in San Francisco, because it's a well accepted fact that they can cause irreparable harm to established local businesses.
This is why every Chain Store intending to do business in San Francisco must face a higher level of scrutiny. Any Chain Store with more than 11 locations, defined as Formula Retail, must apply for a Conditional Use Permit. The Planning Commission, with the input of residents and business owners in San Francisco, decide whether to approve or deny this permit. If the Chain Store has the support of the neighborhood, their permit is likely to be approved. If the Chain Store does not have the support of the neighborhood, their permit is likely to be denied. The two critical factors are whether there is need and desire for the Chain Store.
Unlike the owners of Chain Stores, the members of My Local Pet Shop are committed to building strong relationships in our neighborhoods. We live, work, and play in San Francisco. We hire local, buy local, and support local. We are fully invested in what makes San Francisco so special.
We believe you are equally invested and want keep local, LOCAL!
Support your Local Pet Shop, right here in heart of Noe Valley! Check out this video featuring our own Rick French, of The Animal Company.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
WE NEED YOUR HELP
The entry of any Chain Store in a small neighborhood will undoubtedly have an impact on local business, especially when they seek to duplicate existing services.
Local businesses do not have the same buying power as Chain Stores. That gives Chain Stores an opportunity to undercut their competition. Local businesses struggle to match pricing and discounting and withstand extended losses, until it becomes too much to bear. This is a typical predatory strategy for the Chain Store. Once their competition is eliminated, they can set prices as high as they want.
THE DIRT ON SPOT
Healthy Spot, a rapid growth Chain Store from Los Angeles with 12 locations in Southern California, has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to open a store in the heart of Noe Valley.
Healthy Spot has opened 7 of its 12 locations in the past 2 years. If approved, this will be the first of what we expect to be many locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
My Local Pet Shop is in communication with a number of local Los Angeles pet shop owners who've experienced Targeting from A Healthy Spot location in their neighborhood, In some cases they moved within feet of these shops.
We can stop them.
PAY TO PLAY
Healthy Spot plans to open their first Bay Area location on 24th Street in Noe Valley, a neighborhood already well served by existing small pet shops and groomers. Healthy Spot is paying big money to make this happen, including over $100,000 to Lighthouse Public Affairs, a PR and lobbying firm that is trying to manufacture community support mostly through Merchant Associations.
Instead of doing the work to earn the support of the neighborhood, Healthy Spot seems to be buying their way in with big money and slick advertising.
This is not the type of business we want in Noe Valley.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can convince the Planning Commission to deny Healthy Spot's Conditional Use Permit.
In order to acquire a Conditional Use Permit, Healthy Spot must demonstrate that there is a need and a desire for their business in their proposed location, that their business will not harm the neighborhood, and that their business is in keeping with the San Francisco General Plan.
Need and Desire are key terms, but they require corroboration. Your input is vital.
With so many similar businesses in the immediate area, it's fair to say that Healthy Spot does not provide any unique products or services.
There is clearly no need or desire for Healthy Spot.
NEEDED? DESIRED?
The Planning Commission needs to know that the neighborhood feels the same way.
The proposed location for Healthy Spot's entry into San Francisco is just half a block from The Animal Company.
The Animal Company opened its doors for business in 1976, making this Noe Valley pet shop the oldest in San Francisco.
The proposed location is just two blocks from VIP Grooming, a down to earth grooming shop that has served the Noe Valley community for over 30 years.
There are 10 Local Pet Shops and 10 Local Groomers within just one and a half miles of the proposed location.
This is where you come iN.
THANK YOU for taking the time to do these things.
We know your time is precious.
your support means the world to us.
ATTEND THE HEARING
SAVE THE DATE
The single most important thing that you can do to help is to attend the Conditional Use Hearing.
We hope you will join us.
THURSDAY JUNE 21st 100PM
SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL
COMMISSION CHAMBERS RM 400
1 DR CARLTON B GOODLETT PL
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94103
My Local Pet Shop will be providing transportation from VIP Scrub Club, located at 1734 Church St, and The Animal Company, located at 1307 Castro St, to and from San Francisco City Hall.
Will you be joining us? Let us know!
WRITE A LETTER
Let the Planning Commission know that there is no need or desire for Healthy Spot in Noe Valley.
One of the most effective ways to get this message across is to send an email directly to the Planning Commission.
The more letters they receive, the better.
SEND YOUR LETTER To:
TO: Rich Hillis, Planning Commission President
CC: Jeffrey Horn, City Planner
SAMPLE LETTER ONE
SEND TO:
CC: jeffrey.horn@sfgov.org, jeff.sheehy@sfgov.org, mylocalpetshop@gmail.com
Case #2017-015611CUA
Dear Rich Hillis, Planning Commission President,
I am writing to you today to ask for your help to keep our neighborhood unique and economically healthy. The way to maintain the special atmosphere of our neighborhood, that so many of us have come to love and appreciate is to firmly stand behind and support our small businesses and foster a well balanced community. We entreat you to not allow our neighborhood to fall victim, as others have, to the devastating effects of Formula Retail businesses that force out our beloved and unique small business and then proceed to drive up prices, neighboring leases and our cost of living.
Please preserve the balance that currently exists among animal supply and service business in Noe Valley and all of district 8. Currently there are 10 pet stores and another 10 grooming shops (which employ around 20 groomers) within 1.5 miles of the proposed formula retail location. These current businesses provide for the needed goods and services desired by pet owners in our community.
The formula retail store from Los Angeles, Healthy Spot, is now attempting to upset this balance. Clearly there is no need for their products or services. There is nothing necessary or desirable this company will provide to the community. Since the current customer base is already being satisfactorily served, it is clear that the only way for them to profit is through predatory means and this will harm the current businesses that we have come to love. I am sure you are aware of the unfair advantages that formula retail stores have over small businesses which is specifically why they need a Conditional Use Permit.
Not only are we concerned for our small local pet shops, but also for our neighborhood overall. allowing Healthy Spot access to Noe Valley would set a devastating precedent. There clearly is no need or desire for this business. Please do not let this be the case that allows DSW, Gap Kids, The Olive Garden, or even Burger King and Taco Bell to get their permits passed. These may seem like far fetched examples, but once you are on that slippery slope it doesn’t take long to get to the bottom.
Please keep Noe unique, support our small businesses, preserve the character and charm of our city.
Please deny the Conditional Use Permit to Healthy Spot.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME HERE
SAMPLE LETTER TWO
SEND TO:
CC: jeffrey.horn@sfgov.org, jeff.sheehy@sfgov.org, mylocalpetshop@gmail.com
Case #2017-015611CUA
Dear Rich Hillis, Planning Commission President
I am writing today to ask for your help in keeping our Noe Valley neighborhood unique and economically healthy. The way to maintain the special atmosphere of our commercial neighborhood, that so many of us have come to love and appreciate, is to stand behind and support our small businesses. We entreat you to not allow our neighborhood to fall victim, as others have, to the devastating effects of Formula Retail businesses that force our beloved and unique small businesses out and then proceed to drive up prices, leases, and our overall cost of living.
Please preserve the balance that currently exists among local small pet shops and groomers in Noe Valley and District 8. Currently there are 10 pet shops and another 10 grooming shops within 1.5 miles of the proposed formula retail location at 4049 24th Street.
Healthy Spot is A formula retail chain store from Los Angeles, now attempting to upset this balance. There is not a community need or desire for their products or services. The neighborhood is already well served by existing pet-related businesses in an already crowded and competitive market. It would be tempting for a chain store to use predatory means that would harm the current businesses that we have come to love. Retail formula chain stores have unfair advantages over small businesses, which is specifically why they are required to seek a Conditional Use Permit.
We believe that allowing Healthy Spot access to Noe Valley would set a devastating precedent for san francisco, one that threatens the unique culture of our commercial districts and neighborhoods.
Please keep Noe unique, support our small businesses, preserve the character and charm of our city.
Please deny the Conditional Use Permit to Healthy Spot.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME HERE
SAMPLE LETTER THREE
SEND TO:
CC: jeffrey.horn@sfgov.org, jeff.sheehy@sfgov.org, mylocalpetshop@gmail.com
Case #2017-015611CUA
Dear Rich Hillis, Planning Commission President,
Please preserve the local businesses that provide the personal attention that we, as animal lovers, have come to rely on for our pets here in Noe Valley. We know and trust the owners of our neighborhood shops. We know they have our pets best interest at heart, and that we can always come to them personally with any concerns we might have. We also know that their existence has already been made more difficult by online markets and encroaching big box and chain stores.
The idea of one of these chain store moving into our neighborhood is truly upsetting. A chain store can not provide the personal care nor contribute to the community in the same way as our local shops can. They will most certainly threaten their very existence. Finding loving and reliable care for our pets is difficult, and the existing businesses are part of what has made Noe Valley so appealing for our family, friends, and larger community. Please do not allow the chain store from LA, Healthy Spot, to harm this pet loving community and the small businesses that serve it.
Deny the Conditional Use permit to Healthy Spot.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME HERE
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Thank you so much for your support!
MEET OUR MEMBERS
Lancy Woo & Sage Cotton
4299 24th Street
Rick & Ellen French
1307 Castro Street
Paula Harris
1451 Church Street
Sage Cotton & Lancy Woo
1734 Church Street
Richard Shiu & George Freeman
545 Castro Street
Daniel Bergerac & Todd Ahlberg
536 Castro Street
Lynnet Spiegel & Anna Koscielniak Thiel
284 Noe Street
Megan Johnson
The Animal House
157 Fillmore Street
Tim Costigan
Mission Critter
2959 Mission Street
Tony Christanthis
509 Cortland Avenue