When Zoe Kimball set out to open Fern & Fur Pet Supply Company in Portland’s South Waterfront, she saw an underserved need in the growing neighborhood: a locally owned pet store where residents could find thoughtfully selected food, treats, toys, supplies, enrichment and wellness products, alongside pet-safe plants. As a first-time business owner, Zoe came to the project with a clear vision for creating a store that felt both distinctly local and welcoming to the community.

Owen Gabbert, LLC was brought on as the General Contractor to transform an empty 1,600-square-foot retail space into the home of Fern & Fur. Working from Zoe’s established branding and vision, our team brought a classic Pacific Northwest aesthetic to life with natural woods, deep greens and subtle industrial elements.

The build-out included a new partition wall and access door separating the front-of-house retail space from the back-of-house area, along with new perimeter shelving and custom retail fixtures, including the retail counter and display elements. New lighting was integrated throughout the space to highlight Fern & Fur’s carefully curated offerings and create a warm, inviting retail environment.

For a first-time business owner, opening a new storefront comes with no shortage of challenges. Our role was to help translate Zoe’s vision into a functional space that could support the day-to-day needs of the business while creating an inviting experience for customers and their pets.