By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new boutique store at Edgebrook Shops puts a big focus on small pets.
Norm’s Piggy Pen is a niche business that sells rescued guinea pigs and other small animals. It also offers boarding to care for your pet when you’re away, or you could pamper your pig with spa services such as nail trimming or a bath.
“We hope to build a community of small animal pet lovers,” said Amanda Norman, the shop’s owner. “One of the things coming out of the pandemic is always finding that connection and community with people. So in a way that’s what we’re also trying to provide.”
The store will do that both with its services and special events such as a costume contest for the cuddly small pets.
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The piggy pen has filled the former Annie’s Gifts & Home at 1643 N. Alpine Road, Suite 10. It’s open by appointment now with plans for a grand opening Oct. 8 and 9.
Norm’s is one of three businesses taking new residence at Edgebrook. Evolve Dance Co. opened its doors late last month and Sonny’s Place will fill the former Mary’s Market Cafe in November.
“Orput Companies/Edgebrook is very excited to welcome Norm’s Piggy Pen to the Edgebrook Family. They are a unique local business that fills a niche in the community,” said Sandy Dingus, Edgebrook marketing and events coordinator. “Their love of animals and the Rockford community will make them a wonderful asset to Edgebrook.”
Norman, a 38-year-old Chicagoland native who moved here in seventh grade, was inspired to open the store after coming across a hairless skinny pig this spring while caring for her father in Alabama. Then, in May, her family adopted Agnes, their “ambassador” skinny pig.
“They’re not really easy to find here in northern Illinois,” Norman said, but her store has a rescued skinny pig named Paducah available to adopt.
The Harlem High School graduate, who now lives in Rockford with her husband, Jonathan, and their two kids, has past experience working in pet stores. But she never felt small animals got the attention they deserve.
“When you walk into a big-box retail stores, the small animal department is one of the smallest in the whole store,” she said. “Norm’s Piggy Pen wants to highlight the small animals in our community.”
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She had considered opening her own pet store for a couple years, but the idea sprung into action after the adoption of Agnes.
“As soon as we got the idea it was just a snowball effect and everything took off from there,” Norman said. “It’s been a big adventure this summer.”
A long-term dream for Norman would be to have multiple Norm’s Piggy Pen locations in places like Madison, Wisconsin, and Chicagoland.
The pets Norm’s has for sale are often re-homed from owners who couldn’t care for their pet, or they’re rescued from hoarders or bad breeders, Norman said. It does not breed guinea pigs.
Norman feeds, trims, waters, cuddles and otherwise cares for the rescued pets while they await their new home. You can hear the whistle-like coo of the guinea pigs wheeking throughout the store as they excitedly chirp at the arrival of food.
“Each animal has a name and a story,” Norman said. “Because they’ve been in our care, we know about them. … You’re getting that personalized touch.”
Purchasing a young guinea pig can cost as much as $100, but that comes with a plastic carrier as well as a starter kit with food and a toy. A nail trim costs $15.
Norman warns that guinea pigs are not as low-maintenance as often advertised, but with the right care you can have an affectionate new friend.
“It is going to be a chore to take care of them, but definitely worth it.”
Fast facts | Norm’s Piggy Pen
Where: 1643 N. Alpine Road, Suite 100, Rockford (inside the Shops at Edgebrook)
Grand opening: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9, 2022
On the web: normspiggypen.com; facebook.com/normspiggypen
Phone: 779-210-4099
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.