Welcome to the Top Dog Blog where IncrediPet's Top Dog, Julia Hall will introduce a blog of hot topics and insight into the pet world. It will be someting to bark about so check back often.
The Holidays
12/26/2011
It’s hard to believe that the Holidays are here. Another year gone, appointments already scheduled on my 2012 calendar. Promotions, events and advertising well on their way to being executed in the New Year. We’ll have a lot to share in 2012. It’s our 25th anniversary, and we plan on celebrating all year long in lots of different ways. Our beginning was humble, and I’d say that’s an adjective that I would still use to describe how I feel about our business. I am truly thankful for your patronage, your support, your feedback and your love for your pets. We will continue to serve you and provide the best products and service possible. At Christmas and all through the year, I am truly grateful, and thankful, but most of all humble. All the best to you and yours for this holiday season and in the New Year.
Christmas Spirit
12/13/2011
It has been our tradition each Christmas to take our employees out for a nice meal. 25 years ago we went to the Coach House, then we moved to the Lafayette Club and enjoyed views of Lexington as we celebrated the holidays. For the last few years we have chosen Malone's, as our group has grown and our needs changed. Even though the venues have been different over the years, one constant remains: the chance to say thank you to our employees for the good work that they do, a time to acknowledge the blessings of 25 years of business, reflections of the year and new and exciting plans for our future.
Some years I'll read a children's Christmas story (this year I shared fellow Lafayette High School graduate Loren Long's new book, and if you haven't read it, get it today and do so). Some years the employees read ways to celebrate the holidays, like putting a peppermint stick in a cup of hot cocoa, or read The Night Before Christmas outloud. Sometimes I have asked the employees to share one thing that they like about their job at IncrediPet, those answers always vary, some funny, some heartwarming, always interesting. One particular year, an employee said that she loved her job because we allowed her to be human. A simple statement, with a poignant message. It warmed my heart and truly made the evening for me.
The last few years we have asked each employee to bring a toy donation for Toys for Tots. We keep a tally of what they have spent and then match the amount as a way to say thanks for their generousity. This year our employees donated $350.00 dollars worth of toys, and our matching gift makes the total $700.00. It's important for us to give back, and we're proud that our empolyees feel the same way.
So this year, know that at IncrediPet we celebrate together, we donate together, we work together, and on behalf of all of us, we wish you a Happy Holiday Season and all the best for 2012. We hope to see you soon and we are thankful for your loyal patronage.
Incredipet Select!!
02/15/2011
A quick note to say how much we LOVE our customers. Seems like the right day to say thank you and to let you know how much your patronage continues to mean to us.
Because of your loyal patronage and support of our business over the years we are proud to announce that we will be opening a new store location in Tates Creek Centre.
Opening in the spring of this year, it will be focused solely on dog and cat food and supplies, a new format, a new look, but the same high quality products and great people that you have come to know and expect over the years.
You can see a few sneak peeks pictures and follow the progress of the store.
Thanks again for EVERYTHING and we look forward to serving you again and again and again!!
 
Click here to see pictures of our progress.
Thanksgiving Blog
11/23/2010
I had the pleasure of attending my nephew’s kindergarten Thanksgiving program last night. The school’s fellowship center was full of 5year olds dressed as pilgrims and Indians. The tables were decorated simply with twigs, twine and construction paper leaves with things the children were especially thankful for. Some said family, some said friends, the first one I read said “I’m thankful for animals, especially puppies!!
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How appropriate that it was centered at my seat. I thought I would share this with you because I too, am especially thankful for puppies and for kittens and for guinea pigs and for fish…
All of us at IncrediPet wish you a Thanksgiving full of happiness and blessings. We continue to be thankful for you in ways that I’ll never be able to express with words and a keyboard.
To our loyal customers and to the five your old who is thankful for puppies, all the best!!
Topdog! |
Nature's Pet Variety Pet Food
07/26/2010
Last week I attended a two day retailer summit in Omaha, Nebraska as a guest of Nature’s Variety Pet Food. It was an opportunity to meet other independent retailers from across the country and to meet the “people in charge” of the brand and take a tour of the plant where their frozen food is manufactured.
Our first day was spent learning about their new packaging, new foods, new treats and the process used to get to the new ideas, logos etc…
Empowering people to transform the lives of pets. The new tag line for the company and the food. I like it!! Giving your options and choices to improve the life and health of your pets, isn’t that why we are in business??
The second day included the plant tour and some breakout sessions where we as retailers shared ideas, and spoke freely about our business. It was a good day.
I’m more impressed now than ever with the brand and the people behind it. They are enthusiastic, smart, passionate about their jobs and the food.
I’m encouraging you to go to naturesvariety.com and learn more about the brand, read customer testimonials and come in the store to lay your hands on the product. We’d love to talk to you about the food and empower you to transform the life of your pet!!
Dog Days!!
06/25/2010
If you are in central Kentucky, you know that it has been hot, hazy and humid. The three H’s as the local weathermen like to call it!!
Just a reminder to make sure that your pets have access to fresh water, shade and extra attention on days like this, if the weather doesn’t feel good to you, it most likely doesn’t float your pet’s boat either!!
Use extra caution and be mindful of your dogs during walks and runs, offering water, frequent rests, and potentially shorter routes.
I would also like to encourage you to ask your friends and family to join as fans on our facebook page. We would love to have 1000 fans by the end of the year, and I think that is an attainable goal!!
Thanks again, over and over and over for your loyal patronage, you mean the world to us!!!
Officer Bryan Durman
05/04/2010
For a short while today, it was almost as if time was standing still.
Slain police officer Bryan Durman’s funeral procession passed by our store on Richmond Rd. It was quite a moment. A gentle breeze blew the American flag across the street at a popular restaurant, cars were parked on the access roads, people lined the streets and held signs and small flags in remembrance of his brave and noble service to our community. Employees from the businesses around us stood on sidewalks and parking lots to be a part of this sad and touching moment.
The faces, the cars, the body types, the skin colors, the ages, all unique, all united in paying respect to a life short lived. I just read on line a little more about office Durman and his service not only to Lexington but to our nation as well. I would encourage you to do the same.
As I stood and watched the miles and miles of vehicles go by, it made me suddenly aware that all of my small problems and aggravations are just that, small. It made me realize that we don’t say thank you enough, we don’t let people in our lives know how we feel enough, we let little things bog us down and steal our joy. We take our safety for granted and the people who really do risk their lives every day to make this a town a place we’re proud to call home.
So tonight, hug your family, hug your dogs and cats, give the fish and extra flake or two, and say thank you to someone in your life and to officer Bryan Durman.
Rest in peace officer Durman, and THANK YOU!!
Bark In The Park 2010!!
04/08/2010
Time to play ball!!
Hope you will plan now to attend our fourth annual Bark in the Park events coming up on May 8th and June 10th at Applebee’s Park. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
This is a great event, fun for the whole family. All dogs will be charged a $1.00 admission fee, proceeds to be donated to the Lexington Humane Society. All dogs (and owners) will be seated on the lawn areas only.
We look forward to seeing you at the park, games and contests for you and your dog, a drawing for a year’s free food (restrictions apply), and a free goodie bag to the first 300 dogs through the gate!!
Spingtime is Tradeshow Time!!
03/26/2010
Spring has arrived and so have the trade shows. I will be traveling this weekend to one of our industry’s largest shows to find new items for the store. An entire convention center devoted to pets and pet supplies. At IncrediPet we pay attention to the things you tell us you want and I’ll have a shopping list in hand as I survey the new items for 2010.
I hope you will look forward to seeing the new merchandise that will arrive over the next few weeks and months, and rest assured that you have someone on the “hunt” for inventory that will improve the life and health of your pets!!
Best Wishes for a beautiful spring!!
A letter from one of you!
02/03/2010
Just wanted to take a minute to let you know how much the following letter means. Notes like this really do motivate us and make us proud to be a part of the IncrediPet team. I also want you to know that when I am contacted about an employees exemplary service they are always rewarded. We have a "treasure chest" full of gift certificates, movie passes, car washes, dinner out etc...Nothing that I do gives me as much pleasure as giving employees a gift of their choice from the chest. Thanks Lisa M. your letter keeps us doing what we do, and thanks to Kathy for making me so happy to be her employer!!!
Keep Reading...
Hi Julia,
We got a new puppy Sunday! This is my first dog ever. We got him at the Humane Society. My daughter has seizures, not very often but they are scary for us. I read several studies that kids with seizure disorders have fewer seizures if they have a dog. Both of my kids are over the top excited. Anyway, I had not a clue what I was doing when we brought Harper home on Sunday. We went to your store and the most wonderful young woman named Kathy helped us (immediately!). She helped us pick out everything from a crate to toys and all that comes in-between. She was invaluable to us!
Just wanted you to know what a great experience we had at the store. I'm sure we will be there often now!
Hope to see you soon!
Lisa M.
Lexington, KY
A belated Happy New Year to all of you!!
01/13/2010
We started off with a bang, making improvements to our Southland Dr. store. Next time you’re on that side of town, stop in and take a look at the progress. Most changes have been subtle, but we’ve expanded our dog supply section, and “rearranged the furniture” a bit. You’ll notice the store looks bigger and you might not be able to put your finger on why!!! More to do to be completely done, but it’s been fun and the hard work and long hours have all been worth it.
Thanks to all of you for your loyal patronage, we will never be able to express our thanks enough, I guess the best way is to show you and I hope you’ll give us the opportunity in 2010.
Bark in the Park Donation
11/18/2009
Just a quick note to let you know that your participation in our 2009 Bark in the Park Events raised over $800.00, a check was presented yesterday morning to the Lexington Humane Society by the Lexington Legends. Your “admission” fee of $1.00 per dog added up to this fantastic amount. Thanks again for your attendance and your continued support of this community event. See you next year at Applebee’s Park.
The Art of Feeding
07/09/2009
There’s one thing you need to know about me. I come from a long line of “feeders”. My family loves to feed people,animals, plants and the earth. We love to see to the smiles and hear the”ooohs and aaahs” of a meal well prepared and appreciated. We love to see a dog’s tails wag as meal time approaches or the heads of cattle lifted when they recognize the familiar truck that delivers the goods. We notice the green shoots of a plant watered and fertilized and we see the earth benefit from recycling and good old fashioned compost. We love to feed.
It was our family’s love of feeding that prompted our decision to open a “grocery store” for pets over 22 years ago. Not a place to come and buy a pet, but a place solely designed to buy quality food s and treats for all species of household pets. I wish I had a dime for each time I have been asked “why don’t you sell pets”? It was a foreign concept all those years ago to think there might be a place that would specialize in feeds and feeding, with an educated staff and customer service as its foundation. Our desire was never to sell pets; it was to provide a wide variety of products and services to enhance and enrich the lives of pet’s people already had. A place to teach pet owners about the reasons to feed premium pet foods and the benefits for them and for their pets. Small changes make big differences.
My “feeding” roots are deep. I can remember my grandmother sending me to her garden with a galvanized bucket to “go get a mess of beans”, wondering throughout my childhood what defined a “mess” and why in the world would we want to eat it.
My adulthood finds me “feeding” in many different ways. Feeding friends, family, employees, pets, in countless ways. I see my nephews filling a bird feeder, giving their dog a treat, baiting a betta fish to visit the top of the bowl and I realize that it’s not an imposition but instead a biological need.
I hope you will continue to join me in this special place to learn more about the people you shop with, and to hear more stories about the art of feeding. |
