After 20 Years in New Canaan, Village Critter Outfitter To Close Thursday

New Canaan’s independently owned pet store, for two decades a pillar of the business and animal rescue communities, will close for good this week, its owner said.

Calling the coming “consolidation” a mutual decision between herself and Pet Pantry Warehouse, Village Critter Outfitter owner and New Canaan Dog Days founder Shirleen Dubuque said the Cherry Street store will close at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“It is totally bittersweet,” Dubuque said as long-faced, longtime customers came into the shop downtown, many of them with their leashed dogs in tow. “The relationships that have grown through this business, you can’t buy. They have evolved, we have created really wonderful relationships here.”

Pet Pantry purchased Village Critter Outfitter and Dubuque said she will help with the transition and store fixture Abbey Schettino will make the move to the Grove Street business.

“This was not a forced decision,” Dubuque said. “This was a decision that both parties got together, had some conversations and thought this was the best thing for both businesses. This is all good.”

After receiving an email Wednesday morning notifying them of the imminent closing, customers phoned into the shop all morning and many stopped by to say goodbye in person and wish Dubuque and her staff well.

New Canaan’s Houston Blackwell, a loyal customer for three years with his dog, Maggie, said he’ll miss Village Critter Outfitter because “it’s a small, local business, dedicated to the community.”

“It’s the sort of brick and mortar business like this that helps build a community and keep it going,” Blackwell said. “When you walk in, Abbey and Colin and Shirleen know who you are. It’s a shame. It’s disappointing.”

Len Carusi said he’s been bringing his 2-year-old rescue dog, Jad, for the animal’s entire life. Carusi said he’ll miss Dubuque’s expert advice, most of all.

“We always knew we were getting quality products here,” Carusi said outside the Cherry Street store as Jad got to know Oreo, Dubuque’s own rescue dog. “That’s really the bottom line. I feel like I’ve been kind of cut loose here.”

“I just really feel badly,” he added. “Another store might have miles of racks, but at the end of the day, I only need a few things for him. Shirleen never carries any inappropriate products that I would never use.”

Margaret Schwartz, owner of The Summer House on Forest Street, has been shopping at Village Critter Outfitter for her 7-year-old rescue Shih-Tzus, Wally and Rusty, since she got them and “this was my first stop to get all set up for them,” she said.

She called Village Critter Outfitter’s closing “the end of an era.”

“I think they did a lot of good stuff for the community,” Schwartz said. “It is sad, but I’m happy for Shirleen because she seems to be doing some good things.”

Asked about her future plans, Dubuque said, “It will allow me to have more freedom to do some things I have wanted to pursue,” adding that her specific plans are still coming into focus.

Dubuque is a longtime member of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, serving most recently as vice president of its board of directors.

Chamber Executive Director Tucker Murphy called Dubuque “the best example of small business in New Canaan.”

“Not only is Shirleen a valued voice on the Chamber board, but she was always seeking out ways to improve her business as well as her neighbors and others businesses in New Canaan,” Murphy said. “They don’t get much better than Shirleen and clearly her loyal following represents just how much she touched the lives of so many families and their four-legged family members.”

Originally called Critter Outfitter and located on East Avenue (beside New Canaan Pizza), Village Critter Outfitter has existed for about 20 years in its current location, Dubuque said.

One hallmark of Village Critter Outfitter has been Dubuque’s allegiance to area animal rescue groups of all types, with regular weekend events showcasing those nonprofit organizations and often holding adoptions.

Reached by NewCanaanite.com, Pet Pantry owner Adam Jacobson said he will carry on that part of Village Critter Outfitter’s legacy at his store.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for what Village Critter, Shirleen and the rest of her staff have done in serving pet parents in the New Canaan community, and we will work as hard as we can and will continue to work even harder to provide the same care to animals that we have in the past.”

Jacobson added that he was “very thankful” that Dubuque was handling the transition in a way that put her clients’ animals first.

“The most important thing from our perspective is to continue the legacy that Village Critter has put forth in the community in terms of caring for animals and making the health and wellness of all the pets their number one priority,” he said. “We think our philosophy is very similar to that, and by consolidating together and working together that we can strengthen the way we service the community.”

Murphy said, “The merger represents two businesses that were committed to New Canaan partnering to make the offerings even better. We are pleased that the some of the staff of VCO will join the Pet Pantry team to make the transition for customers a smooth one.”

As more customers pulled up to Village Critter Outfitter on Wednesday morning, pet owners that Dubuque has known for years all sounding a similar refrain about how sad they are, Dubuque said that although she knew she was important to locals, she didn’t know “it was to this degree.”

“And that is what is killing me today.”