Meet Ani Aratounians of Critters in Montrose

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ani Aratounians.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ani. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Over 30 years, Critters has been a favorite gift store in the quaint family community of Montrose, offering fun and exciting products for kids and adults. Its old-fashioned horse (named Champion!) and the Harley motorcycle rides in front of the store bring nostalgia to passerby of a small town USA. For decades, this unique, fun store has been the place to go for birthdays and special occasions, or to find something unusual. It is well known for their special selection of plush animals and funny greeting cards, but the toys, gag/prank gifts, novelties, hand-made jewelry, boxed signs, and vintage candies don’t go unnoticed. It is almost impossible to walk into Critters without smiling, and it is that feeling that caused me to leave corporate America and purchase the business. I worked in large corporations for over 20 years, including Nestle in Glendale, Ca and most recently at a business in Santa Monica. I am a registered dietitian and my commute had been about 3 hours a day because of traffic. Being a single mom of two teen girls, made it difficult to manage life while working far away in a high level corporate position. I needed to do something locally and spend more time with my girls. I thought about starting my own weight loss practice or maybe buying a franchise, but then I learned that Critters was for sale. My parents had been in retail for years, retiring in 2012. They had owned jewelry stores in Glendale and one outside America, in Spain. I was raised in the retail environment and customer service I knew very well. I had fond memories of growing up helping my parents run the family business and spending a lot of time with them. My kids are so happy. They come by and help me with the merchandising…my girls will grow up like I did…near their parent.

For the store itself, I have remodeled it a little since I took over. I added wood floors, a fresh coat of paint, better lighting and brought new, unique merchandise made by local artists like a Montrose woman who recycles bottles, paints and embellishes them with sparkly jewels. There is also a Burbank man who finds and restores vintage P.O. mailbox doors turning them into coin banks, Why not showcase an artist of the month?

I am also in the middle of creating a space in the back of the store to conduct Arts and Crafts classes for kids and adults, we will offer classes in mixed media, jewelry making, clay charms, handmade greeting cards, and more. In fact, my 14 year old daughter will be teaching the clay charm classes in her spare time!

Helping me is store manager, Kelly Callaghan who has been with the store for 14 years. She receives customers with a warm smile on her face, her belief in exceptional customer service and her eye for unique and novelty gifts has been why this store has survived in this challenging times.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Retail is no longer a smooth road in this day and age where online shopping has become the norm. However, with small changes and unique offerings, we are staying strong. The Arts and Crafts classes that we will be offering will also support the retail component of the business. We need to stay creative and innovative with retail to survive…we have to offer products and services that no one can find online. The experience of coming into a family community store and feel like home is an experience that you cannot find in a computer.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
As mentioned previously, it is the unique gifts, exceptional customer service, handmade local artists’ work, Arts and Crafts classes, and the warmth and love that we give to our customers that sets us apart from the typical chain retail stores. We treat all our customers with love and respect…we become friends. I have countless customers who will come in to just say hello and chit chat with us….it warms my heat and makes my day!

Additionally, the city of Montrose and the board members of the Montrose Shopping Park are very supportive of the local business and are always organizing fun community events such as Wine Walks, October Fest, Christmas Parades,

What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a loving family who was hard working and very creative. I am Armenian, born in Tehran, Iran and raised in Barcelona, Spain….I am a true melting pot of cultures. I had the privilege to be around different customs and beliefs. I think this has helped me understand people better and in turn it translates to how I’m running my business.
I am an avid tennis player and health nut. I try to squeeze in tennis matches into my busy schedule and also go to the gym either early in the morning or late at night.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2277 Honolulu Ave.
  Montrose, CA 91020
• Website: www.crittersmontrose.com
• Phone: (818)249-3777
• Email: info@crittersmontrose.com

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.