ROCKLAND, Maine — A local pet supply company that has been recognized nationally for its success is the new owner of a downtown Rockland building.
The owners of Loyal Biscuit Co. purchased Friday the building at 404 and 408 Main St., which had been the home of The Reading Corner for nearly 40 years before it closed a year ago.
The downtown building will be the “world headquarters” and flagship store for the company, owner Heidi Neal said on her Facebook page. The property includes added retail space, parking in the rear for customers and more office space, she said. Neal said the plan is to move to the new space at the end of March or early April.
Loyal Biscuit has been leasing space at nearby 442 Main St. since 2010.
In an April 2015 interview, Neal — who owns the company along with her husband, Joel Neal — said their acquisition of the pet supply business began from a random conversation at a Christmas party.
Neal had worked for 15 years in banking, but said she was burning out in that job. The Rockland native considered going back to school to become a teacher when she had the conversation with her now husband at a holiday party.
“I said I would love to own the Loyal Biscuit Company and bring my dog to work all day. Joel encouraged me to contact the owner and I did,” Neal said.
Since she purchased the Rockland business, Loyal Biscuit has expanded to Belfast, Camden and Waterville.
In addition to the four Loyal Biscuit stores that she and her husband own, Neal is part owner of two other pet-related businesses that she has started during the past few years. She also co-owns Fidelis Biscuit Co., which makes organic and Maine-made treats, and Loyal Biscuit Tug Me Toy.
Last year, Neal was named Maine’s Small Business Person of the Year and her success has been recognized by national trade publications — Pet Product News named Loyal Biscuit its national community outreach award winner, and Pet Age Magazine named it the top retailer of the year. Loyal Biscuit also was recognized last year by Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year.