Cha-ching! (10-4, good buddy)

Not all garden centers do the "pet" thing, but one that does definitely does it right. Pasquesi Home & Gardens in Barrington, Ill., devotes floor space and plenty of in-house expertise to making sure Rover or Felix are treated like kings with lines of natural and holistic pet foods.

These foods are made with high quality, easily digested, hypoallergenic and natural ingredients, all designed to have a positive effect on the general wellbeing of the garden center's customers' animals. Here's how Pasquesi Home & Gardens markets this portion of the store:

Pets that are fed holistic or natural foods may experience increased energy and faster recovery from illness, and fewer skin ailments and allergies. They also are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, due to its superior nutritional value.  Although the cost per pound of holistic and natural pets foods is higher than traditional dog chow, you’ll probably notice your dog eats less of the this food, and thus, also eliminates less.

Overall, holistic and natural foods boost your pet’s immunity and may even help prevent costly veterinarian care over the long term. We’re told that pets think it tastes better, too!

Generally, finding products and services that are special -- or even unique -- to a region is a money-back-guaranteed way to get customers to the store. Pasquesi Home & Gardens not only gets 'em, it keeps 'em. And that's a blueprint for "Cha-ching!"

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