For more than two decades, The Pet Depot has been a trusted destination for pet owners across Oʻahu, serving generations of families and their furry, feathered, finned, and sometimes even scaly companions.
Located in ʻEwa Beach, the family-owned business is celebrating 23 years of serving the community. What began as a leap of faith for Tish and her husband in 2003 has grown into one of Hawaiʻi's few remaining full-service, mom-and-pop pet stores.
The opportunity came unexpectedly. Tish was helping a friend, whose father owned the business. When the family left Hawaii, Tish and her husband purchased the pet store.
"I love animals and wanted to be a veterinarian," Tish said. "I never had the opportunity to attend veterinary school on the mainland, but when the chance came to buy the store, I told myself, 'Hey, I can do this.'"
Today, she works alongside her son, Ryan, who helps lead the store's daily operations. Ryan and Tish credit their knowledgeable staff, including Corinna Tadeo, who has worked at the store for 20 years, for much of the store's success.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” Ryan said.
Doug, Ryan's dog and the store's official mascot, is part greeter, part ambassador, and full-time good boy. His likeness is featured in a mural outside the store, making him one of the most recognizable (fluffy) faces in ʻEwa Beach.
Over the years, The Pet Depot grew into a 3,500-square-foot one-stop shop for virtually every type of pet owner.
For more than two decades, The Pet Depot has been a trusted destination for pet owners across Oʻahu, serving generations of families and their furry, feathered, finned, and sometimes even scaly companions.
Located in ʻEwa Beach, the family-owned business is celebrating 23 years of serving the community. What began as a leap of faith for Tish and her husband in 2003 has grown into one of Hawaiʻi's few remaining full-service, mom-and-pop pet stores.
The opportunity came unexpectedly. Tish was helping a friend, whose father owned the business. When the family left Hawaii, Tish and her husband purchased the pet store.
"I love animals and wanted to be a veterinarian," Tish said. "I never had the opportunity to attend veterinary school on the mainland, but when the chance came to buy the store, I told myself, 'Hey, I can do this.'"
Today, she works alongside her son, Ryan, who helps lead the store's daily operations. Ryan and Tish credit their knowledgeable staff, including Corinna Tadeo, who has worked at the store for 20 years, for much of the store's success.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” Ryan said.
Doug, Ryan's dog and the store's official mascot, is part greeter, part ambassador, and full-time good boy. His likeness is featured in a mural outside the store, making him one of the most recognizable (fluffy) faces in ʻEwa Beach.
Over the years, The Pet Depot grew into a 3,500-square-foot one-stop shop for virtually every type of pet owner.
The Pet Depot's inventory reflects the diverse needs of Hawaiʻi's pet owners. Photo: courtesy
The Pet Depot's inventory reflects the diverse needs of Hawaiʻi's pet owners. The store carries puppies, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, birds, designer chickens, rats, mice, and a variety of other small animals. Every puppy is carefully selected and receives veterinary examinations, vaccinations, deworming, and health screenings before joining a new family.
Customers can find dog and cat supplies, bird products, freshwater aquarium equipment, fish, plants, chicken feed, pig feed, horse feed by special order, live mealworms, crickets, organic feeds, and much more. Additional services include a self-service dog wash station, and a generous rewards program. That commitment to customer service has earned the store a loyal following that extends far beyond ʻEwa Beach.
"Customers come from everywhere, including the North Shore and Kahala," Ryan said. "They travel far to see us, and we want to make sure every visit is worth the drive."
One of the store's most popular attractions is its Doggie Deli, an old-school counter inspired by Hawaiʻi's neighborhood poke shops. They sell fresh and frozen pet foods, including products from local company Aloha Raw. The store is especially well known for its extensive aquatic department, which has become a destination for aquarium enthusiasts across Oʻahu.
"We carry everything from freshwater fish and planted aquariums to custom aquarium builds and high-tech equipment,” Ryan said. “Just as important, we have knowledgeable staff who can help customers understand how to use it all. If it's in the aquatic world, we probably have it."
The Pet Depot's inventory reflects the diverse needs of Hawaiʻi's pet owners. The store carries puppies, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, birds, designer chickens, rats, mice, and a variety of other small animals. Every puppy is carefully selected and receives veterinary examinations, vaccinations, deworming, and health screenings before joining a new family.
Customers can find dog and cat supplies, bird products, freshwater aquarium equipment, fish, plants, chicken feed, pig feed, horse feed by special order, live mealworms, crickets, organic feeds, and much more. Additional services include a self-service dog wash station, and a generous rewards program. That commitment to customer service has earned the store a loyal following that extends far beyond ʻEwa Beach.
"Customers come from everywhere, including the North Shore and Kahala," Ryan said. "They travel far to see us, and we want to make sure every visit is worth the drive."
One of the store's most popular attractions is its Doggie Deli, an old-school counter inspired by Hawaiʻi's neighborhood poke shops. They sell fresh and frozen pet foods, including products from local company Aloha Raw. The store is especially well known for its extensive aquatic department, which has become a destination for aquarium enthusiasts across Oʻahu.
"We carry everything from freshwater fish and planted aquariums to custom aquarium builds and high-tech equipment,” Ryan said. “Just as important, we have knowledgeable staff who can help customers understand how to use it all. If it's in the aquatic world, we probably have it."
Tish and Ryan credit the success of their store to the hardworking staff, like Corrina Tadeo (far right) who has worked at The Pet Depot for 20 years. Photo: Malia Zimmerman
For Tish and Ryan, the heart of the business is about the people, the pets, and the relationships they've built along the way. They've celebrated countless puppy homecomings, helped families find the perfect feathered or furry companion, answered questions from first-time pet owners, and watched generations of customers grow up alongside their beloved animals.
"We're one of the few remaining old-fashioned mom-and-pop, full-service pet stores," Ryan said. "We're really part of the community, and that's what makes this place special."
The Pet Depot is located at 91-919 Fort Weaver Road, Suite 109, ʻEwa Beach, HI 96706.
For Tish and Ryan, the heart of the business is about the people, the pets, and the relationships they've built along the way. They've celebrated countless puppy homecomings, helped families find the perfect feathered or furry companion, answered questions from first-time pet owners, and watched generations of customers grow up alongside their beloved animals.
"We're one of the few remaining old-fashioned mom-and-pop, full-service pet stores," Ryan said. "We're really part of the community, and that's what makes this place special."
The Pet Depot is located at 91-919 Fort Weaver Road, Suite 109, ʻEwa Beach, HI 96706.
The store carries puppies, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, birds, designer chickens, rats, mice, and a variety of other small animals. Photo: Malia Zimmerman
Cover Photo:
As a family owned business, Tish and her son, Ryan, take pride in the close knit community they have build over the years. Photo: Malia Zimmerman.
Cover Photo:
As a family owned business, Tish and her son, Ryan, take pride in the close knit community they have build over the years. Photo: Malia Zimmerman.
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