Annandale Super Pets Store Moving to Springfield

Update Monday, March 12 at 1:23 p.m.: According to their Facebook page, Super Pets is now open at their Springfield location at 5230-A Port Royal Rd in the Ravensworth Shopping Center. In a comment on Annandale Patch's Facebook page, co-owner John Blauner said the location is a small animal, reptile and bird store.

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After 18 years, the aquarium and pet store is leaving its Annandale location. The family-owned shop at 4415 John Marr Dr. will reopen its doors in two months, but at a smaller store in the Ravensworth Shopping Center in Springfield.

According to John Blauner, one of the co-owners, the Super Pets is relocating because their landlord chose not to extend their lease. “[There was] nothing we could do. He didn’t even tell us why,” said Blauner. [Annandale Patch could not independently confirm the expiration of the lease with the owner of the building at the time of publication.]

For years, Supers Pets sold everything from tropical fish to birds and reptiles to pet lovers from Annandale and neighboring cities. “We sold everything but dogs and we had an incredibly large fish department,” said Blauner. They also sold a variety of accessories and supplies for pets.

They may be leaving Annandale, but Blauner said customers can expect the same service, just on a smaller scale. The store’s official last day at their Annandale location was July 31 and they tried to sell much of the inventory before then. Much of their sales were advertised at the shop itself, their website and Facebook page. Devoted customers continue to post messages and questions, mostly wondering when the store will reopen.

“It was a wonderful place,” said David Kirshaum of Arlington who used to bring his daughter to the store to see the animals. Kirshaum added he was glad the store is only relocating and not leaving for good.

Blauner and his family are from Annandale and he said before the arrival of the PetCo’s and PetSmart’s to the area, residents shopped at Super Pets. “My dad originally owned a corporation around the area called Virginia Pet Centers. We were up to about seven stores and then he built [Super Pets]. We took it over from him,” said Blauner, who runs and co-owns the store with his two siblings. Blauner said his sister, Tracie, primarily handles the day-to-day operations of the store.

Although they are a pet store, Blauner said not all of the animals were for sale; some were brought in for display, which may have added to the zoo-like atmosphere in the shop. Blauner said schools and families organized trips to Super Pets to visit the animals. “You could spend hours looking at various fish and parrots and reptiles,” said Blauner.

While Blauner said it’s a shame to lose the 15,000 square foot space, he’ll miss “being in the heart of the Annandale” the most. Blauner did not specify an exact reopening date, but said Super Pets will begin accepting orders out of the warehouse shortly.

For updates on when Super Pets will open at their Ravensworth location, visit their website or “like” them on Facebook.