We were thrilled to attend the grand opening of Winnipeg’s latest Pet Valu location, in Seasons of Tuxedo. The store was packed with pawrents, their four-legged family members, and the dedicated Pet Valu staff. Among them, the store’s owners, Jessica Keller and Dawn Oakley, and the store manager, Izzy MacKinnon were hard at work.
Izzy’s experience with Pet Valu goes all the way back to her first job after high school. She worked at her local Pet Valu while studying to become a legal assistant. After graduating, she spent six months working in a law office before realizing that her true passion was pet retail. She soon returned to Pet Valu and never looked back. Four years later, Izzy and her team have opened a new location and they couldn’t be more excited. “As an animal lover and someone who likes to build lasting connections, this is the perfect industry for me,” explains Izzy. “It’s so rewarding to share what I know when a customer has a problem to solve, and then see the results in a happier, healthier pet.”
The rest of the Pet Valu team shares this attitude. They’re driven by Pet Valu’s Four Paws, the company’s cornerstone values — compassion, experience, safety, and efficiency. These values, along with the team’s expertise in pet care, products, and problem-solving have made this location a destination for pet parents in the short time that it’s been open. Izzy notes, “So much of the impact we have comes from our ability to help customers find the best solutions for the unique needs of their pets. The only way we can do that is by embracing the neverending learning process that comes with the latest products.”
Izzy believes that one of the most important factors in pet nutrition is knowledge. She explains, “You need to know what’s in your pet’s food, what the ingredient quality is like, and if that’s really the best option for their unique dietary requirements. Every pet is different, so we make sure our staff is extremely knowledgeable on the products we carry and what will work well based on the needs of each pet and their caregiver.”
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the Pet Valu team values the quality of Smack Pet Food and is quick to recommend it. “Smack makes top-quality food and it has never gone down in quality in all the time I’ve been with Pet Valu,” notes Izzy. “When I worked at a different location, my manager had a senior dog who couldn’t eat anything. Even limited-ingredient kibbles and raw food caused problems. It got so bad that my manager was worried that she wouldn’t have much time left with her dog. She finally tried Smack and it was a game-changer. Two years later, her dog is still on Smack!”
Seeing the team in action during their grand opening, it’s clear that they provide a lot more than just the expansive selection of food, toys, and accessories on their shelves. They’re pet lovers with years of experience helping other pawrents give their furry friends better lives. If you’re looking for top-quality products, one-on-one guidance, or just want to chat with other people passionate about pets, Pet Valu’s Seasons of Tuxedo location is the place for you.
