Five months after opening the Pet Stop in Pembroke is now offering a grooming service and has expanded its premises.

When Natasha Lambert opened the pet shop in September she imagined she’d at least pull in the town customers.

But in the five months since, people have come from much further afield.

“Other people have come by,” she said.

She has been doing so well that in December she was able to knock down a wall at the premises at 4 Mills Creek and expand Pet Stop’s floor space.

Ms Lambert said she always talked about expanding, but didn’t expect to do it so soon after opening.

“But when the opportunity came up, we jumped on it,” she said.

In addition, last month, Pet Stop started offering grooming services.

“We are very excited to have Esther Douglas as a part of our new Pet Stop grooming team,” Ms Lambert said. “She specialises in dogs, cats, small animals nail trim, bird wings and nails. She is very into animals, and is president of the Bermuda Poultry Fanciers Association.

“She has been an officially certified groomer for 2½ years, but has been grooming on and off for 18 years. She started off grooming horses and that eventually led her to grooming dogs, cats, small animals and birds. A plus to adding Esther to the Pet Stop team is that she is a dog behaviourist, which helps when dogs are scared and nervous about getting groomed.”

The pet grooming has only been going since January 3, but is already taking off.

“We have our old customers making appointments, but a lot of new people come by every day,” Ms Lambert said.

She thinks the secret of their success, so far, might be their pricing and their central location.

“Plus, we are open seven days a week,” she said.

Besides the pets, their best sellers are pet food and pet beds.

Ms Lambert thinks her love for animals might give her an edge in the business. At home, she has several dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals.

“I brought many animals home as a child,” she said. “My mother was not always pleased but she has always helped me take care of my animals. My mother and sister have been very supportive with helping me take care of the animals at the shop.”

And Ms Lambert said they’re not done yet. Towards the end of the year, Pet Stop hopes to offer pet boarding services.

“My overall goal is to provide everyone with good prices, good services and offer care for animals,” she said.

Pet Stop’s opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

• For information e-mail petstopgroomingbda@gmail.com or contact 824-7387. Also find them on Facebook and Instagram @petstopbda.