Dante & Dory’s Pet Emporium, a new pet store located at 354 E. Main St. in the former Dollar General building in Downtown Galesburg, has officially opened its doors to the public, with a three-day grand opening celebration scheduled to begin tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 26.
Co-owned by pet industry veteran Candace D’Agnolo, founder of Pet Boss Nation, and her husband Joey Palermo, the store–named after their rescued Pomeranians Dante and Dory–aims to serve as a community hub with unique, high-quality pet products and nutrition education, while promoting support for local businesses over national chains.
The grand opening kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring a confetti cannon, free gifts, and a “Pawsome prize machine” offering up to 20% off deals. Saturday, coinciding with National Neighborhood Pet Store Day, will feature one-day specials, including BOGO on treats and toys, $10 off wellness products, and swag bags for the first 25 customers, along with 200 custom “I supported Dante and Dory’s grand opening” totes. Sunday’s “Dory’s Demo Day” will include a “Top It and Take It” topping bar, a puzzle toy station, and free pup cups with dog-safe lattes.
The store offers a range of products for dogs and cats, including live insects, frozen raw foods, and pet-safe bakery treats, alongside local-themed merchandise like Galesburg sign toys, local college-themed items and BNSF train cars. Future plans include self-wash stations by year’s end, an indoor dog park, and a grooming salon and school by 2027, supported by a team from the former Pet Supplies Plus.
Dante & Dory’s operates Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with special Sunday hours this weekend. For more information, visit danteanddorys.com.
