City January 14, 2011 3:07 PM

Creature Comforts on Elmwood Avenue

Creature Comforts on Elmwood Avenue
After five years in business on Bryant Street, Animal Outfitters has officially outgrown its space and has headed to greener pastures. The specialty pet store, owned by Omar Zahzouhi, has doubled its size and its offerings, while maintaining its comfortable vibe and welcoming appeal. In order to accommodate Animal Outfitters, the 986 Elmwood location was actually split into two storefronts, thus allowing the pet store to move in. The remaining storefront will be occupied by T-Mobile as it relocates from the 500-block.

By upgrading to a larger space, Animal Outfitters will be able to enhance its pet-oriented programming. Along with dog dishes, outfits, beds, leashes and all-natural foods and treats, Omar has set up a pet-friendly lounge where owners (and their pets) can watch videos pertaining to pets and their needs. At the same time, the store is planning on incorporating programming and training seminars geared towards pets and their owners. "We even serve free coffee and tea to people who plan on spending time in here with their pets," Omar told me. "Dogs are completely welcome... my dog Star will be here to welcome them. We are here to discuss pets' needs. It's all about customer service, whether it's an informative chat about an animal or even outsourcing programs to specialists. Having Bidwell Parkway so close by is nice - that's a great place to walk a dog."

Animal-talks-Buffalo-NY.jpgNot only is Animal Outfitters increasing its product selection and programming, it is also attempting to raise the bar on creature comforts. When was the last time that you walked into a homegrown pet shop with vaulted ceilings (and ceiling fans), slick wood-style floors, track lighting, stainless steel counters and built-in cabinetry? Animal Outfitters is a visual treat for customers and a delicious treat for their pets. The business is open seven days a week to accommodate the working moms and dads and their four-legged family members.

Animal Outfitters | 986 Elmwood Avenue | Buffalo NY 14222 | 716-884-2420
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Wahoo! LOVE Omar and Animal Outfitters! Great products, excellent service. I'll miss you down here at my end of Elmwood, but Speedy and I wish you the best!

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I never knew this place existed. Thanks for the article. This compliments having Elmwood Pets to make Elmwood a great place for pet supplies.

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Their Bully Chew prices are reason enough to go there. Dirt Cheap, high quality and they have a frequent buyer club

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There is such a huge difference between Animal Outfitters and Elmwood Pet Supplies. I used to shop at Elmwood Pet Supplies, but Tom, one of the owners, is beyond rude! He has, on more than one occassion, insulted me, insulted my pets, and mocked my home. He even went so far as to tell me how unsociable my recently deceased dog was while I was at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter looking to adopt again. He has no boundaries. I will say that I never had any problems with John or other staff, but compare that with Animal Outfitters, and it's simply a no-brainer!

At Animal Outfitters, you feel like family the instant you walk in. Omar and Susana remember our names and the names of our pets. They remember the history of our pets' needs, making relevant suggestions. They go so far above and beyond that it's hard not to make a permanent and clean break from Elmwood Pet.

On top of that, they do a program where buying about a dozen bags of dog food gives you a free bag! Great food options, toy options, collar and leash options, and more. One happily converted customer! Give them a chance and I'm sure you'll feel the same way I do.

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Couldn't you have said something positive about Animal Outfitters without publicly slandering another business and dragging the owner's name through the mud? The owner of Elmwood Pet supplies seems nice enough to me, and you really don't have any business saying such things on a public forum when the article doesn't even mention Elmwood Pet Supplies.

Doesn't BR have moderators to weed out such personal attacks?

replied to BuffaloByChoice
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They are probably responding to my comment about Elmwood Pets, so it didn't completely come out of left field. As for bashing the owner I can't defend them there.

replied to godismakebelieve
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To the user Godismakebelieve: Perhaps I could have just said positive things about Animal Outfitters without saying anything negative about Elmwood Pet. That probably would have been the bigger thing to do...I get it. My point is that my experiences with management at Elmwood Pet Supplies might be relevant to other customers. It's directly related to customer service. I wouldn't want other customers going into Elmwood Pet and coming out wishing someone had warned them about this sort of thing. Is it not morally repugnant to anyone else that the owner of a pet store mock one's recently deceased pet?!?! In honesty, I would love to see Animal Outfitters replace Elmwood Pet as the most prominent local pet store.

P.S. Your username alone is offensive to many. While I "slander" elmwood pet, you do the same, then, to people of faith.

User LouisTully is right, though. I saw his comment and used it as a segway into a comparison...probably where one wasn't obviously warranted. I'm sorry for coming off so offensive. Wasn't my intention. I have nothing against you!

replied to godismakebelieve
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I have not had a bad experience at Elmwood Pets. I have shopped at Animal Outfitters for a while now and could not be happier. They have great choices for small dogs, plus everything you have already mentioned. I recommend this store to everyone.

replied to BuffaloByChoice
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I love this store too! Can't wait to check out the bigger space. The owners are beyond friendly and really make you want to come back. I even found a frisbee there that I previously had to order online because no one else in the area carried it.

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I love this store. Omar and Suz are great people and I support them as much as possible. Thanks for doing a great article on them.

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Do they carry Blue Buffalo dog food?
http://www.bluebuffalo.com/

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Yes, they do.

replied to rb09
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OMAR IS THE MAN! ALL ABOUT THE PETS. TWICE MY PUP HAS HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH FOOD AND MEDICAL ISSUES. BOTH TIMES OMAR WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND, AND MY GIRL IS ONE HAPPY PUP!
THE CLINICS THAT WERE GIVEN IN JANUARY WERE VERY INFORMATIVE IN A VERY EASY ATMOSPHERE!
PET STORES HAVE LOTS OF NICE PEOPLE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS, BUT THIS PLACE WILL GO THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH YOU.
YOU CAN'T FIND AN OWNER MORE COMMITTED TO KEEPING YOU AND YOUR PET HAPPY.
STOP IN AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
LOLA SAYS HI OMAR.........

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