Includes pet washing station, drive-thru

By KENDRA PEEK

kendra.peek@amnews.com

Bringing expanded nutrition to the family pets — that’s part of the goal behind the expansion of Burkmann Feeds on Perryville Road, which will be celebrated in a ribbon cutting ceremony 4-6 p.m. today. 

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback; people have thanked us for opening this kind of store,” said Brent Williams, the project leader of the expansion project, a member of Burkmann’s nutrition team, and son to president and co-founder David Williams.

The store features expanded lines for wild birds, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, any “animals with a name,” said Kasey Woolam, marketing and media specialist, crediting Brent Williams with the line.

The expanded portion of the store unofficially opened in mid-December, but they have been taking their time to ensure everything is completely ready, Woolam said. That includes more than 20 hours of training that employees have undergone to become more knowledgeable about the expanded product lines.

“And we will continue to do nutrition training and product training,” Brent Williams said.

The expansion includes a drive-through, which opens on Monday, and a pet washing station, which has been “well-received,” he said.

It costs $9.95 to use the pet washing area, which includes use of shampoo, dryers and towels — everything needed to wash down your pet, said Owner David Williams.

In fact, they said, someone brought in a pig to wash.

“If it fits, it washes,” Brent Williams said.

Customer Robin Martinez said it made it really easy to wash dogs. She had brought in her mom’s dog, and was planning to bring her own dog in soon.

She was shopping in the expanded area on Monday.

The self-service pet washing area has two bath tubs to use and a walk-in shower, for the bigger dogs, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Brent Williams said more than 130 dogs had been brought to the store to be washed. Sometimes it’s a family event — mothers, fathers and even grandparents getting in on the family-pet-washing. 

“It’s been fun,” he said.

“It’s been an enjoyable experience,” said David Williams. “For us to provide those opportunities — it’s another element showing Danville as a good place to raise a family.”

With the bigger space, the offerings in the livestock area have increased. Farm animal nutrition is what got the company started on Aug. 1, 1979, David Williams said, referring to the four on-staff PhDs and one staff veterinarian.

“We understand the science behind the products,” he said. “It’s very unique for Kentucky. It’s a point of distinction.”

That knowledge, David Williams said, is being applied to all aspects of animal nutrition at Burkmann’s. His son agreed.

“We are still in the nutrition business, we just expanded our offerings,” said Brent Williams. “We are customer-focused — we want everyone to have a positive shopping experience.”

Eventually, Williams said, they plan to host adoption days with shelters and animal rescues in the area. They are also looking to host dog training days at the facility.

Follow Kendra Peek on Twitter, @knpeek.

SO YOU KNOW

The Burkmann Feeds ribbon cutting and open house event is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today. The store, at 111 Perryville Road, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The next event will be chick days, beginning March 8.