Photo by Chris Militzer/Miliman12 Photography
Alexandria residents love their pets and one way they show it is how they care for them. One of the many businesses in town that cater to Alexandria pets is Nature’s Nibbles, at 2601 Mt. Vernon Ave., in the Del Ray neighborhood.
The pet food store, owned by Chris and Anne Gabriel, specializes in organic and natural pet foods.
Alexandria Living Magazine talked to Chris Gabriel about why he started his business and more.
Tell us how you got the idea to start your business. What was the inspiration?
A: My Shepherd/Lab mix, Gypsy, was suffering from horrible itching and licked her paws incessantly. Vet after vet suggested I change her diet to a brand “prescription” food. Her condition didn’t change — in fact, it got worse. I decided to start researching pet food and the more I researched, the more disgusted I became with the ingredients that are allowed in our pets’ food. I switched her to an “all natural” dry food containing no by-products, wheat, soy, corn or gluten. Her itching subsided and she didn’t lick her paws anymore. The fresher the food I fed her —canned or even better-quality raw meals — the better her health became. I was sold on all natural food! The store I was purchasing the food from was closing, so in September of 2005, my wife, Anne, and I decided to start our own store. We started as an online delivery business, at first, then, in 2007 we opened our brick and mortar store in Del Ray… and we still deliver!
How has your business changed since you first opened?
A: We first started with dry and canned meals. After a year or two we started selling the raw frozen and freeze-dried meals. Also, some of the all-natural pet food companies were sold to the bigger pet food companies.
We assumed the quality would change as a result of the buy-outs, so we refused to sell those products and, as expected, each product that was sold to the bigger companies experienced recall after recall. I still keep track of the companies we sell to make sure that they aren’t sold, where they source their materials, that if there is a recall, what the reason(s) is/are, etc.
What has been the most challenging aspect about starting your business?
A: Humans are habitual creatures and like to stick with things they are comfortable with. Convincing a pet owner that commercial brand foods that they are feeding their pets are not quality foods was a task! Once they saw improvements in the overall health of their pet, they not only came back, but told their family, friends and neighbors. Word of mouth is gold!
What did you do before getting into this business?
A: I had various jobs in the hospitality business, restaurants and hotels. My last job, before opening full time, was at PBS in the archives department.
What do you feed your own pets and why?
A: I currently feed my dog, Sadie, the Primal Raw frozen meals. I also switch formulas within the Primal company and occasionally mix in canned for variety. I often switch the raw to other company’s food. Switching, not only formulas, but companies, helps keep things from building up in the system and causing problems, such as allergies. A well-balanced diet is important!
What are most pet owners doing wrong when it comes to feeding their pets?
A: Too many pet owners rely on just feeding dry food. Even all natural dry food, with the whole, all natural, human grade ingredients, is still THE most processed of all the choices available. Dry food is the furthest from the source materials that it contains. Canned foods are fresh-er, cleaner foods and better quality than dry. The raw frozen or freeze-dried foods are even fresher, cleaner and better quality than canned and definitely better quality than dry.
Making the food yourself (it’s actually easier than you think) is the freshest and best quality money can buy. Nature’s Nibbles can help with some of the materials needed to make your own pet food, i.e. raw meat, bones and organs and supplements. Hundreds of great recipes can be found online!
What’s the most common reason that pet owners come in looking for natural and organic pet foods?
A: Most customers typically just want a better-quality diet for their pets, but I do get many customers looking for an alternate answer to their pet’s health issues. Many times, Nature’s Nibbles is a pet owner’s last resort to help resolve certain maladies.
Are most of your customers from Alexandria?
A: Yes, most of our customers are from all over the Alexandria area, including Fairfax County, Falls Church, Springfield and Mount Vernon. We also have many customers from Arlington, and Washington DC! We deliver up to 15 miles from the store.
How do you engage with the pet community?
A: Nature’s Nibbles donates to rescue groups and hosts many adoption days throughout the year. We also have a do-it-yourself dog wash in our side yard! It’s a great way to engage with neighbors and other pet owners in the neighborhood.
What are your future goals for the business?
A: We are constantly looking for new companies and products, especially foods locally sourced and from sustainable farms. Anne and I are also looking to open a second store not only selling all natural pet products, but all natural products for humans, as well.
