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Suncoast Pasco News

Teen Moves Exotic Pet Store To Expand

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: January 28, 2008

PORT RICHEY, Fla. - PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Nick Isabelle picked up a tarantula, a recent addition to his inventory at the ReptiCenter, the exotic pet store he operates.

"This one will get to be about five inches," he said. Then he pointed out the one-piece, furry pile of skin still in the container, looking like a spider someone had let all the air out of.

"See? He just molted," Isabelle, an 18-year-old senior at River Ridge High School, said. Many of the creatures Isabelle carries drop their shells when they outgrow them.

Recently, he has followed their example – businesswise, that is. Less than a year after opening ReptiCenter, he has shed its original location, on U.S. 19, and relocated to a bigger space.

"I was there for 11 months," Isabelle said. "It got really crowded in there."

The relocated ReptiCenter, at 7135 S.R. 52, has 60 percent more space for an ever-expanding inventory of pets. As good as sales were at the old location, Isabelle said, they have roughly tripled since opening the new store a month ago.

"I'm here 54 hours a week, and I don't regret any of it," Isabelle said.

Isabelle has had a fascination with reptiles since he was young. But it was his girlfriend, Joanna Johnson, who suggested opening a pet store. They had been researching pet turtles while shopping for a birthday present.

For more on Nick Isabelle and ReptiCenter see Jan. 30 print editions of The Suncoast News.

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