Nabeel Siddiqui always loved pets and, growing up, was never without a furry, feathered or finned friend by his side.
Therefore, it makes perfect sense that, in adulthood, this animal lover and entrepreneur would be drawn to a business venture that unites his two passions.
Last month, Siddiqui celebrated the grand opening of Pet Supplies Plus at 2731 Street Road, Bensalem, with music, giveaways and representatives on hand from Women’s Animal Center and Hart 2 Heart Animal Rescue.
“It was a long time coming,” said Siddiqui, who started the franchisee process in 2021. “I was just happy that I was finally able to turn it into reality.”
Pet parents can browse a selection of treats, toys and natural pet foods, the latter of which Siddiqui explained are set at a comparable price to the commercial brands on grocery store shelves.
Of course, they’re welcome to shop with their pets, who he said team members enthusiastically welcome and get to know. Each team member is extensively trained in the areas of natural and holistic foods, are able to answer a broad range of questions about dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and fish, and are usually jumping at the chance to get on their hands and knees to play with pets who enter the store.
Customers, known at the store as “neighbors,” can take advantage of a self-pet wash station, where they can use provided aprons, towels, shampoo and dryers to clean their pet. The store also offers full grooming services, including nail trimming, by a professional groomer.
Additional offerings include carry-out and delivery services, in which team members carry heavy items to cars or deliver straight to homes; a range of pets to adopt; and the free Pet Supplies Plus Rewards, which offers members regular coupons on products they purchase frequently and monthly specials.
Siddiqui is no stranger to owning and operating a business, previously spending time in a variety of industries, including management consulting, logistics and delivery, and credit strategy.
Now, he’s living out his childhood dream, bringing industry knowledge to his first passion-based entrepreneurial endeavor in Bensalem, where he and his wife moved about five years ago. Previously, the couple lived in Florida, but moved north for an understandable reason.
“I was skipping the heat,” he said with a laugh.
Looking ahead, Siddiqui plans to partner with local animal shelters, rescue organizations and nonprofits to host year-round adoption events, fundraisers, and pet food and product drives.
“Opening my own pet store is a full circle moment for me as a lifelong animal lover, and the opportunity to serve pet owners in my community is an exciting moment,” he said. “Bensalem is my home and its community members are my neighbors. Caring for their pets’ needs is one way I can give back to my community, and I look forward to becoming a neighborhood hotspot for Bensalem residents and their pets.”
This is all while caring for his own furry friend, a cat named Stark, who is the CEO of Siddiqui’s company Pet Stark LLC.
Pet Supplies Plus is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit petsuppliesplus.com or call 267-386-7912 to contact the store.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
