Editor's note: this letter was sent to Petco headquarters with a copy to the Herald.

It is my understanding that you are closing your store at 4732 California Ave. S.W. (in the West Seattle Junction) because you are losing the parking lot behind your store.

Just across the street behind those stores are several public parking lots with plenty of parking, with access openings between the stores to walk through. A few more steps are not a problem.

Why would you close a store in the middle of a neighborhood shopping area with thriving stores that complement each other, to move it several miles north where there are no other stores near - making it an extra trip?

Plus the new area is not conducive to your kind of large store. It is mainly a neighborhood of residential homes and a few professional offices. I will not make the added effort as there are other pet stores already in the Junction, and many of my friends agree.

Please stay at your current location.

Thanks for your consideration.

Ruth Jolly

Junction