The Shops at Atlas Park soon will be welcoming one of the first 'green' pet stores in New York City. Crazy For Animals, a family-owned and operated boutique specializing in upscale pet accessories, will be opening in a newly constructed eco-friendly retail space at Atlas Park. "This is the first we have heard of a 'green' pet store in New York City," said Lauren Hildebrand, program coordinator of the New York City chapter of the US Green Building Council. "It will hopefully become something we see more of in the future." Together with designer Justin Pogrob, founder of Simplex Studio in Manhattan, Crazy for Animals is creating a truly sustainable pet oasis." "We will have bamboo floors, hand waxed cabinets, and energy efficient lighting, as well as a full line of holistic food and spa products for pets," said partner Joan Stack. In addition to the store itself and the products for sale, Crazy For Animals will be using business cards and shopping bags made from recycled paper-and staff will be wearing polo shirts made from a new fiber derived from corn. "Virtually all of the products used in this build-out are environmentally friendly," said Pogrob. "All of the mill work that we designed, fabricated by Best Value Construction and finished by Meir Design, utilizes sustainable materials and methods. For example we used urea-formaldehyde free plywood with little to no VOC emissions for the sub floor and mill work instead of traditional plywood. The adhesive used in the bonding of traditional plywood emits gasses that have adverse affects on the heath of people and the environment." Crazy for Animals will be going for silver-level LEED certification.
The store is designed using warm, earthy accents colors and materials, which blend seamlessly with the modern architecture that organizes an irregularly shaped space while demonstrating the environmentally friendly concept. The new store will have innovative features including a sitting area where owners and their dogs can try on some of the many canine fashions. Other unique products offered include carriers, spa products, designer collars, toys and even baked goods. Crazy for Animals will have an in-store dog run measuring 14' x 3' which features artificial grass surrounded by a modern interpretation of a white picket fence. A partnership with pet adoption center Bobbi and The Strays-their neighbor at Atlas Park-makes Crazy for Animals an even more special addition to the lifestyle center. A&Co.'s leasing representative, Christine Tomczyk, handled negotiations on behalf of Crazy for Animals owners Joan Stack and Patty O'Connor. Crazy For Animals will be moving from its temporary location at Atlas Park once construction on the new space is completed.