Lease signed for 4,500 square feet at The Courtyard in Dilworth

PetPeople has signed a lease with Lat Purser & Associates for 4,500 square feet at The Courtyard shopping center in Dilworth and plans to open a store at the location early next year. Photo courtesy PetPeople

Ohio-based pet food and supply company PetPeople has signed a lease with Lat Purser & Associates for 4,500 square feet at The Courtyard shopping center in Dilworth and plans to open a store at the location early next year, according to a press release from the company.

Founded in 2000 by Mike and Trish Elkind, PetPeople specializes in natural pet food and supplies for dogs and cats and carries specialty pet food brands such as Evo, Primal, Natural Balance and more. The company has grown to more than 30 locations and opened its first stores in North Carolina earlier this year, including a location in Cornelius.

In Charlotte, PetPeople is planning to open a location at the Waverly mixed-use development in south Charlotte in early 2017. At The Courtyard, PetPeople will be located between Famous Toastery and The Nail Bar, which recently signed a lease for 1,750 square feet.

“The relationships we have with our customers and their pets are vital to our success, which is why we look for locations in close-knit, walkable communities,” said Ron Dee, director of real estate and construction for PetPeople. “The Dilworth neighborhood is a great fit for us, and we can’t wait to open our doors at The Courtyard.”

Located at 2400 Park Road, The Courtyard is now fully leased, and Lat Purser & Associates has begun renovations to a portion of the 33,000-square-foot shopping center along Park Road to refresh its exterior, update the center’s signage and create an outdoor patio space for customers.

“We look forward to bringing a fresh, new look to this longtime neighborhood gathering place,” said Jimmy Penman, director of retail leasing for Lat Purser. “With its focus on quality products and expert customer service, PetPeople will be a terrific addition to the mix at The Courtyard and a welcome alternative for pet owners in this community.”

DeAnn Leonard and Kori Wing of Currier Properties represented PetPeople in lease negotiations.

With offices in Charlotte, Raleigh and Jacksonville, Fla., Lat Purser & Associates has established itself as a leader in development, acquisitions, brokerage, leasing, property management and construction management. With extensive experience and knowledge of the industry, LPA is focused on creating value for clients while providing the finest commercial real estate services throughout the Southeast.