Dolly's Treasures to Close After Six Years

Stan Fox spent 27 years working in the tech industry.

After taking an early retirement from HP, he was asked by his wife what he was going to do next.

He decided to take his life-long passion for pets and animals and open up a pet specialty store -- .

For the past six years, Dolly’s Treasures, located in the, has been selling pet food, supplies, and gifts to local pet owners.

But at the end of the month, Dolly’s Treasures will close its doors.

“It’s just unfortunate the way the economy is that we couldn’t come together and make it work,” Fox said.

About a year ago, the bank that holds most of the store’s credit line failed and was taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Fox said.

When the FDIC ended lines of credit for the bank’s small business accounts, it left Dolly’s Treasures in a position where its interest rates soared to about triple what they previously were, Fox said.   

Higher interest rates combined with the state of the economy has made for tough times financially. 

Fox said the feedback he's received from regular customers about the closing has been so positive that it almost makes him want to continue with the store. But he knows that Dolly’s Treasures has to close.

Until its doors close for good, Dolly’s Treasures will keep its normal business hours and will have sales on its in-stock merchandise.

“We’re giving good discounts on the food, the treats, and gifts,” Fox said.

On Monday, Dolly’s Treasures began offering 30 percent off the lowest sticker price on pet food, treats, and supplies. They are also offering a 50 percent discount off the lowest sticker price on all gift and clothing items.

Dolly’s Treasures is named after Fox’s dog, Dolly. Dolly is a rat terrier-German shepherd mix, who was rescued years ago by Fox and his wife.

Fox said Dolly was full of fleas and mange when they got her, and that she was “afraid of her own shadow.”

Today, Dolly, who Fox says has a following among school kids who pass through the store on their way home from school, is far from the dog she once was.   

“She’s come a long way,” Fox said. “She’s a very intelligent girl.”

Fox said the time and effort invested in the store and the community makes this closing period a difficult time for him.

“I want to thank the community for their support and kind words. We’ve always gotten positive feedback from the community and we appreciate that,” Fox said. “We’ve worked hard to give the community the service they deserve.”