Shuttering a mainstay

For 41 years, Aqua Hut has been a go-to place for pets. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Douglas County resident who hasn’t stopped by the Superior store for a fish, a bag of dog treats, meal worms or just to look at the pets.

At her Tower Avenue location, and for the last 25 years at the Mariner Mall, Shirley Peterson’s shop was a mainstay for customers. Now, she’s ready to retire.

Aqua Hut was looking bare Wednesday. Since a retirement sale was announced six weeks ago, stock has dwindled. A few brightly colored snakes, nearly two dozen hamsters, hermit crabs, fish and a pair of rose hair tarantulas waited to be sold. Gifts for the family pet could still be found — from dog beds and fish tanks to hot rocks and food. But soon, it will all be gone. The shop will be shuttered by the first of the year, according to Shirley’s son, Brad.

“I loved working here,” said Kathie Otterino of Cloverland, who’s been an employee of Aqua Hut for 16 years. “It’s been fun, a fun job.”

She thanked the shop’s customers for their support and loyalty.

“Since I’ve been here I’ve seen little kids grow up and now they’re shopping here with their kids,” Otterino said.

With the closing of Aqua Hut, Brad Peterson said, there will be no small pet stores left in Superior.

The shop, located next to Younkers at the mall, is open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Everything is on sale, including a chubby guinea pig and a pair of skinny pigs. All sales are final, according to signs on the store’s windows. The business will accept credit cards, debit cards and checks through Dec. 22. After that, sales will be strictly cash.

Tags: news, animal, business, family, superior