Natural Pawz Sterling Ridge will celebrate its grand re-opening Oct. 15.[/caption]

Natural Pawz Sterling Ridge will celebrate the expansion of its first store at 6700 Woodlands Parkway during a grand re-opening celebration Oct. 15.

Biff Picone and his wife, Nadine, opened Natural Pawz Sterling Ridge nearly 12 years ago. The pet store became the first location of a now-popular chain, with 17 locations in the Greater Houston area and three locations in Austin. With the new expansion of the Sterling Ridge store, the pet store has increased in size from 1,000 square feet to more than 3,000 square feet, which includes the grooming room, and is now the largest of all the stores.

Picone said he and his wife started the pet store chain after they adopted a dog and wanted access to healthier food options.

“My wife and I adopted a dog with severe allergies,” Picone said. “We looked at alternative dog foods and saw it made a big difference. We have stuff here that is healthy and good for pets. We visit the plants ourselves so that customers are getting the best products."

Picone said associates at the store are also trained to help customers find what they need.

“We train all of our associates and they have a pet nutritionist title,” he said. “They can give solid recommendations. We also have a computer where customers can look up food. Our store has a neighborhood concept.”

The grand reopening celebration on Saturday will feature vendors and demos as well as a ribbon cutting and coffee talk with the Picones. The flagship store will also have an improved grooming section, and all grooming customers will receive a coupon for Natural Pawz products on Saturday. Free pet pictures will also be available from 10-11 a.m.

Natural Pawz Sterling Ridge
6700 Woodlands Parkway, The Woodlands
281-465-0904
www.naturalpawz.com