After more than four decades of operations in downtown Emporia, L&L Pets is set to permanently close its doors later this month.
During an interview with KVOE News Monday afternoon, L&L Pets owner Jason Crumb, who purchased the business at 621 Commercial Street from original owners Lane and Lisa Holleran in 2018, says business has been declining for about six months now, causing the store to no longer be “self-sufficient.” He says the decision to close the business was not an easy one, however, it was the only viable option.
On top of the decline in foot traffic in recent months, Crumb says the business has also been hard hit by recent supply chain issues.
Crumb adds that L&L has also struggled to compete with the convenience and prices of online retailers.
An exact date has not been set, however, Crumb says they are planning to be closed before the annual Unbound Gravel races later this month. As for the immediate future, Crumb tells KVOE News they are currently running a store-wide 20 percent off sale and are working to find homes for all animals in the store, saying “nothing will be left behind.”
L&L Pets opened in 1982 under the Hollerans and is Emporia’s longest operating pet store, offering a wide range of animals, pet supplies and more.
2 pm Monday: Emporia’s L&L Pets set to close doors by end of May
A local pet store in operation for more than four decades will close its doors before the end of the month.
Monday, L&L Pets, 621 Commercial Street, announced via its official Facebook page that it will permanently close its doors before the end of May. An exact closing date and reasons for the closure have not been announced.
KVOE News has reached out to owner Jason Crumb for further comment.
L&L Pets, originally opened and owned by Lane and Lisa Holleran, has been Emporia’s longest operating pet store offering a wide range of animals, pet supplies and more since 1982. The Hollerans sold the business to Crumb in June of 2018.
