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Name: Planet Pets & Hobby World

Type of Business: Retail pet store and hobby shop

Address: 3391 Route 27, Franklin

Telephone: (732) 951-8500

Web site: Planet-Pet.com

Number of employees: 11

Founded: 2002

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-8 p.m. Sunday 10-6 p.m.

Top officer: Howard Satnick, owner

How would you describe your business?

"It is a fully stocked pet store and also a hobby store carrying animals and activities for all ages," said Howard Satnick, owner. "We sell rabbits, parrots, frogs, snakes, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, lizards, and tropical fish. We sell everything but dogs. I don't think dogs should be sold from a pet store. I believe they should be purchased from a breeder or adopted from a shelter. I really believe that there are so many dogs and cats that need homes that they should by adopted or gotten at a shelter. However, we sell the pet supplies for all animals and grooming services.

"Our hobby shop has remote control cars, helicopters, airplanes. We have Lionel Trains, puzzles, models, and a huge Thomas the Train selection of craft items and paintball materials."

What makes your business special?

"We have a lot of knowledgeable staff here. We are going to sell you a product that will best suit [your] need. We are not trying to just sell a commodity to you. I am not selling just a product -- if it's a pet, I'm selling what will be a part of your family.

"We also are involved with the community and hold an open story hour twice a month on the first and third Monday at 11a.m. We serve juice and cookies and read an animal stories then show the animals. We also conduct our reptile show in schools throughout the state at a reasonable price.

"We provide free wrapping for sales $15 or more."

What goals do you have for the business?

"My goal is to make sure every pet owner is successful. I would like to reach as many children and their parents as possible and have them come here where they will get the real service they need instead of the big box stores."

How has your business changed?

"I wanted my store to be an experience instead of just buying a product when I opened seven years ago. Since then, big box stores have moved closer to my store and I've lost customers to them."

What was your most important deal?

"The recent Disney movie 'G-Space Force' about guinea pigs has made them popular to customers as pets."

What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?

"We will pursue more of an Internet presence."

What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"Convenience is the most important factor for people. We will do whatever we can to make the customer happy."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"The person who does this must realize that a retail shop takes many hours. If they are going to have their own pet shop, they must consider location, location, location.

"When I opened here, a supermarket was the anchor store. It left and it affected our shopper base."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"No. I love what I do. I started working in a pet store while going to college. After college I opened my own pet store here."