Couple Opens Exotic Pet Store

Walking into Pets One, the new exotic pet store on the north side of town, is something like venturing into Brookfield Zoo.

Squeaks and squeals erupt from cages, reptiles and hermit crabs meander behind glass panes, and Kord and Carolyn Krall bounce around the store like zookeepers ready to educate customers about the exotic animals they can bring home to the family.

“I just want people to know I care about animals,” Kord Krall said.

Kord, along with his wife Carol, own the exotic pet store, Pets One, that opened about two weeks ago at 129 Commercial Drive.

Pets One offers an unusual variety of pets including hedgehogs, bearded dragons, purple moon crabs, chinchillas, chipmunks, corn snakes, veiled chameleons, crested geckos, and skinny pigs (hairless guinea pigs). The prairie dog has emerged as a customer favorite.

“They’re super-social, super-fun to be around, and at the same time they don’t mind you snuggling them a little bit and rubbing their bellies,” Kord Krall said.

New pets are arriving every day. Recently, the Kralls welcomed two new pot belly pigs and six new prairie dogs to the store. Pets One can also do special orders for animals they don’t currently have in the shop and customers can go home with their new furry (or scaly) friend within 72 hours usually.

Pets range from $5 to $200.  

Kord and Carolyn Krall started breeding and selling skinny pigs little more than a year ago and decided to open a pet store offering exotic pets when Kord was faced with a career change.

“We both grew up in pet homes.  We love animals,” said Kord Krall “It was time for me to do something on my own and since I love it so much it was no-brainer.

“I want to bring back the local feel, the small town atmosphere. Besides the pets, that’s the difference here, the kind of friendly service you’re going to get.” 

One of the most common reactions to the animals is: “What the heck is that?” said Carolyn Krall. All animals are domesticated and the Kralls are excited to educate the public about them.

“There’s something new for everyone to look at,” she said. “We have families deciding between a bearded dragon and a hedgehog.”

Pets One is USDA regulated and the Kralls hope to work with the local animal shelters to have adoption events in the future.

In addition to offering exotic pets, the store is also full of food, toys and supplies to maintain a new pet, including food for cats and dogs, pets that the store does not sell.

Along with the more familiar brands, they also stock a full line of holistic and organic pet foods. Residential delivery is also available.

“It’s like ordering a pizza for your dog,” Carolyn Krall said. “If you get home, and you realize you forgot the dog food, we’ll bring to you and because we’re wireless we can swipe your card right at the front door.”

Above all, what’s most important to the Kralls?

“Safety to animal and seeing people walk out of here happy are the most important things to me,” Kord Krall said. 

For more information on pets, hours or services, call the store at 630-553-4600, at petsone@ymail.com or visit them on Facebook.