New Pet Supplies Plus Store Opens in Brookhaven, Georgia, Bringing Community-Focused Retail and Local Entrepreneurship to DeKalb County

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — The retail landscape of DeKalb County has a vibrant new addition for animal lovers. Pet Supplies Plus, a nationally recognized and rapidly expanding pet retail franchise known for its neighborhood-centric approach, has officially opened its doors in Brookhaven, Georgia. Located at 2036 Johnson Ferry Road NE, the modern, full-service pet care destination promises to deliver a comprehensive array of products, specialized services, and a deeply personalized shopping experience tailored to local pet owners and their animal companions.

While the store is already welcoming shoppers through its doors, the local community is gearing up for a weekend-long official grand opening celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11. Owned and operated by local residents and long-time entrepreneurs JC and Joanie Ryan, the new storefront bridges the gap between corporate retail resources and the intimate, knowledgeable service of an independent neighborhood shop.

Spanning a wide selection of pet care essentials, the Brookhaven location is fully stocked to cater to dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and a variety of small mammals. Beyond merchandise, the facility features a suite of hands-on services designed to make pet ownership more convenient, including professional grooming, self-service pet wash stations, and signature carry-out assistance where friendly staff members load heavy bags of food and litter directly into customers’ vehicles.

Main Facts: What You Need to Know About the Brookhaven Opening

The arrival of Pet Supplies Plus in Brookhaven marks a significant milestone for the local pet care economy, offering residents a one-stop shop for nutrition, wellness, and pampering.

• Location: 2036 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Brookhaven, Georgia.
• Owners: Local entrepreneurs JC and Joanie Ryan, married for 39 years and long-time DeKalb County area residents.
• Grand Opening Dates: Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11.
• Store Offerings: Comprehensive pet food and supplies for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and small animals; professional grooming services; self-service pet wash stations; and complimentary carry-out assistance.
• Community Focus: Partnerships with local animal shelters, rescue groups, and non-profit organizations for year-round adoption events, fundraisers, and product drives.
• Rewards Program: Access to exclusive discounts, personalized coupons, and monthly specials. Customers can text "GRAND" to 72629 to instantly receive 10% off their first purchase.

Chronology: From Lifelong Passion to Storefront Reality

The journey to opening the Brookhaven Pet Supplies Plus is a story of a lifelong passion for animals culminating in local small business ownership. For franchise owners JC and Joanie Ryan, the path to retail entrepreneurship spans nearly four decades of shared life, family, and animal companionship.

Decades of Animal Care

Married for 39 years, the Ryans have spent the last 30 of those years sharing their home with a revolving menagerie of pets. Over the decades, their household has included everything from traditional cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. Like many devoted pet owners, the Ryans spent countless weekends over the years browsing the aisles of various pet stores, observing what worked well, and dreaming of the day they might combine their love for animals with a business venture of their own.

The Franchise Selection Process

When the Ryans decided to turn their retail dream into reality, they evaluated several franchise opportunities. However, Pet Supplies Plus stood out from the competition due to its unique philosophy regarding customer engagement and local community integration. Rather than treating shoppers as anonymous consumers, the national brand builds its entire business model around treating customers as "neighbors"—a philosophy that resonated deeply with the Ryans’ community-oriented values.

Opening Doors and Preparing for the Grand Opening

Preparations for the store’s launch involved months of meticulous planning, staff hiring, store merchandising, and community outreach. With the storefront now open at 2036 Johnson Ferry Road NE, daily operations are officially underway. Store leadership and staff are currently putting the finishing touches on preparations for the upcoming grand opening weekend on October 10 and 11, which will serve as the official community introduction for the business.

Supporting Data: The Booming Pet Industry and the Pet Supplies Plus Model

The launch of the Brookhaven franchise arrives at an opportune time within the broader American retail and economic landscape. The pet care industry has experienced unprecedented, recession-resistant growth over the past decade, driven by shifting demographics, increased humanization of pets, and a heightened focus on animal health and wellness.

The Rise of "Pet Humanization"

According to data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA), total U.S. pet industry expenditures have climbed steadily year-over-year, surpassing historic milestones as consumers increasingly view their pets as full-fledged family members. This cultural shift—often referred to as "pet humanization"—has fueled massive demand for premium pet foods, specialized veterinary diets, supplements, enrichment toys, and high-end grooming services.

The Pet Supplies Plus Advantage

Founded in 1988, Pet Supplies Plus has carved out a dominant niche in this booming market by combining the expansive product selection and competitive pricing of a big-box retailer with the cozy, approachable vibe of a neighborhood corner store. Key pillars of the brand’s successful business model include:

• Convenience-Driven Locations: Sited in accessible suburban and urban strip centers with ample parking, making quick trips for pet food or emergency supplies seamless.
• Experiential Retail: Incorporating interactive services like self-wash stations that solve common household pain points (such as post-walk muddy paws or messy bathroom-tub bathing).
• Omnichannel Capabilities: Blending physical retail browsing with robust digital rewards programs, text-to-save promotions, and seamless online ordering options.
• Grassroots Philanthropy: Empowering individual franchise owners to tailor their charitable efforts to the specific, pressing needs of their immediate geographic areas.

Official Responses: Voices from Ownership and Corporate Leadership

The corporate philosophy of Pet Supplies Plus emphasizes local empowerment, allowing owners like JC and Joanie Ryan to imprint their own community-focused ethos onto their stores.

A Family-Centric Vision

In interviews following the store’s soft opening, JC Ryan reflected on the emotional significance of the new business venture and what it means for him and his wife.

"We’ve been married for nearly 40 years, and pets have always been at the core of our family," JC shared. "Throughout our lives, we have cared for everything from dogs and cats to birds and reptiles. What drew us specifically to Pet Supplies Plus was how deeply community-driven the brand is. Now, we get to grow our family by helping care for all the pets in our community."

Commitment to Rescue and Adoption

True to their word, the Ryans are not simply operating a retail storefront; they are establishing a community hub for animal welfare. As official community partners, JC and Joanie are actively coordinating with local DeKalb County animal shelters, rescue groups, and non-profit organizations. Plans are already in motion to host year-round adoption events, educational seminars, and essential pet food and product drives right at the Brookhaven location.

"When people walk into our store, we don’t want them to feel like they are just another transaction," Joanie Ryan noted. "We want them to feel like neighbors stopping by to talk about their furry, feathered, or scaled family members. We want to be a resource they can trust."

Implications: What the New Store Means for Brookhaven and DeKalb County

The opening of Pet Supplies Plus on Johnson Ferry Road carries several positive implications for the local Brookhaven economy, local animal welfare networks, and pet-owning households throughout the region.

Economic Impact and Local Job Creation

Small businesses and franchised operations are the lifeblood of suburban commercial corridors. The establishment of this new Pet Supplies Plus brings a fresh wave of economic vitality to Johnson Ferry Road, creating multiple jobs for local residents—ranging from retail associates and inventory specialists to professional pet groomers. Furthermore, the presence of a high-traffic destination retailer helps drive consumer foot traffic to neighboring businesses in the shopping center.

Strengthening the Animal Rescue Network

One of the most profound impacts of the new store will be felt by local animal rescue organizations. Shelters across the greater Atlanta area routinely face overcrowding and resource constraints. By opening its doors for regular adoption showcases, fundraising campaigns, and product collection drives, the Brookhaven Pet Supplies Plus provides these organizations with a high-visibility platform to connect shelter animals with prospective adopters and secure vital donations of food, bedding, and supplies.

Elevating Standards of Pet Care for Local Residents

For everyday pet owners in Brookhaven, having a dedicated neighborhood resource equipped with self-wash stations and professional grooming means easier maintenance for their pets’ health and hygiene. Additionally, the store’s extensive inventory ensures that owners of specialized pets—such as reptile hobbyists, bird enthusiasts, and aquarists—no longer have to travel far or rely solely on e-commerce to find specialized supplies, substrates, diets, and habitats.

Membership and Getting Involved

Residents interested in experiencing the new store ahead of the official grand opening weekend can visit Pet Supplies Plus at 2036 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Brookhaven, GA.

To take advantage of the store’s introductory promotions, new shoppers can text "GRAND" to 72629 to immediately unlock 10% off their first purchase. Members of the Pet Supplies Plus Rewards program will continue to receive tailored savings, monthly specials, and invitations to exclusive member-only sales.

As the countdown to the October 10–11 grand opening weekend continues, the Brookhaven pet community stands ready to welcome the Ryans and their dedicated staff into the neighborhood, marking the beginning of a vibrant new chapter for local animal care.