By Randy Arrington
LURAY, June 24 — Figaro’s Pet Emporium only opened its doors three weeks ago, and already they are going through 1,000 crickets a week.
“One of our biggest sellers has been feeders for reptiles and other animals,” co-owner Jessica Chiang said. “Things like crickets, meal worms, mice, rats…there’s nowhere else for people to get them.”
Local officials gathered Thursday morning for a ribbon cutting at Luray’s only pet store, which opened June 8 in the East Luray Shopping Center.
“Thank you for investing in a business that we don’t have,” Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce President Gina Hilliard said. “There is no pet store in the county…so thank you.”
Figaro’s Pet Emporium does not sell dogs or cats, but they do offer small animals such as ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs and four breeds of hamsters. They also offer several types of reptiles from lizards and snakes, to turtles and frogs. The new pet store is also one of the few places in the area to offer fish and birds.
“I love animals. I have a small zoo at my house,” Chiang said. “Now, I can come to work and play with the animals.”
The store’s name is derived from a small, long-haired Chihuahua puppy that Jessica and her husband and co-owner David said touched their lives before an untimely death just six weeks after his February birth. Figaro passed away on March 21 and was a descendant of 3-year-old Qui-Qui, who trotted around to greet visitors at the grand opening this week.
“This has always been a dream of hers,” David said of his wife. “She loves animals, and she’s always wanted to work with animals. She really wanted to offer something different, and we don’t carry anything you’ll see at [other stores].”
Figaro’s offers U.S.A.-made, high-end pet food lines such as Orijen, Zignature, Verus and Evanger’s. In addition, they offer a wide array of pet supplies for a wide variety of pets, from specialty treats to hand-stitched dog pillows.
“Welcome to Luray and thank you for investing in our town,” Mayor Jerry Dofflemyer said just prior to Thursday’s ribbon cutting. “We’ve heard stories of how pets helped people during the pandemic, and we know how important they are to so many people…and now, they don’t have to drive to Harrisonburg or Winchester.”
Front Royal offers the next closest pet store, but they don’t sell fish, according to the Chiangs, but Figaro’s does. In fact, they even offer pond fish, such as the popular koi fish.
The Shenandoah couple had wondered for a long time, “Why isn’t there a pet store in Luray?” When they drove by one day and saw an opening at the East Luray Shopping Center, the location seemed to be the perfect fit.
The new pet store owners are working with a local dog trainer to offer training sessions for small groups of three to four dogs and their owners. They also plan to partner with local rescue groups to set up adoption and fundraising events on their behalf.
After only a few weeks in business, the couple says they already wish they had more space and if business continues to go well, they may look at either a second location or a bigger space in the future.
“We can pretty much get anything…some things we will not carry, but we can get it for you,” Jessica said. “I don’t keep anything here I wouldn’t give my own dog.”
Figaro’s Pet Emporium, at 23 East Luray Shopping Center, is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday.
They can be reached at (540) 860-5279 or check out their Facebook page.
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Nice article, but you need a much better editor/proofreader.
Figaro isn’t a “descendant” of Qui-Qui, it’s the other way around. And the popular pond fish are “koi”, not “coy”.
Figaro is in fact a descendant of Qui-Qui… Qui is his father.
I appreciate the help Bonnie. Thanks for reading.