Obecians Shane and Erika Bancroft were not entirely happy in their respective jobs, but the couple have since found a new calling in the pet business.
“We wanted to show pride in being a small family-owned and -operated business,” said Shane of their newly minted store, Bancroft Pet Shop, at 1874 Bacon St.
The month-old pet shop is primarily a pet boutique and supplies shop with a self-serve dog wash.
Right now it’s more of a service,” said Shane of their pet wash. “But there’s always room to grow. We’ll see how things go. See where the demand is.”
Shane had been an auto technician working on BMWs, which is where he met Erika, who was in human resources, and was on her third leased BMW at that time.
The pair began brainstorming a lot to figure out what they really wanted to do. They tossed out alternatives, one of which was developing a card board game. But pet products finally won out. 
It was a natch for Shane. 
“It just fit,” he said. “We have three generations in my family in the pet industry. My grandfather had a pet store in the Bay Area. My dad was always in the pet industry as well. One of my first jobs ever was working in a warehouse for a pet distributor, pulling orders.”
“I’ve always had a passion for animals,” added Erika.
“A lot of our products we source from the manufacturer and are made in the USA,” said Shane. 
“We only partner with companies that share our values that we believe in,” concurred Erika.
Touring their OB store reveals the couple’s personal touches. All their furniture is homemade. Some of the products, too, like doggie bandanas.
There are leashes, collars and durable toys of all kinds, dog bowls, shampoos, supplements, poop bags, natural flea prevention products, brushes, nail clippers, flea combs, etc.
There is also plenty of pet food of every type, including some vegan choices, plus freeze-dried raw treats and dog jerkies. They have lifejackets and alpaca sweaters for dogs, pet first aid kits and CBD items, as well as some of the most cozy pet sleep beds available anywhere.
So far, Bacon Street has proved to be a solid choice for a pet shop.
“One nice thing about living in OB is you don’t hardly ever have to drive anywhere: You have everything right here,” concluded Erika.
So far, the pet business has been good to the Bancrofts.
“It’s not like your car’s broke,” quipped Shane. “It’s a happy interaction with customers.
Erika agreed.
“It’s a happy experience,” she said. Bancroft Pet Shop
1874 Bacon St.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
619-458-9181
Bancroftpetshop.com