Athens Pet Shop

James Robert ‘Bob’ Lilly, Jr., son of James Robert ‘Bob’ Lilly, Sr., and Mary Alice Coffman Lilly, graduated from Athens High School in 1964. When Bob Sr. was assigned to the West Virginia State Police Division in Princeton he and his family moved from Hinton, West Virginia, to Athens. Bob’s mother Mary Alice opened the Athens Pet Shop in what was previously the  Athens Department Store in the Barbery Building on Vermillion Street.

As a visitor walked through the front door of the pet shop there was a counter where Mrs. Lilly was often standing, ready to assist her customers.

Down the right side were the animals: hamsters, gerbils, and of course, the goldfish and other fish.  There were probably small birds, parakeets and canaries for sale also.

To the left of the store were supplies, fish tanks and food, small animal cages and other supplies typically found in a pet shop.

The big draw, however, especially for the younger crowd was the big, squawking parrot that was perched on the outside of his cage. He was very vocal and the youngsters would walk by without getting too close, fascinated but not quite trusting him.

After Bob, Jr. graduated from high school the Pet Shop was closed and the family went on to the next assignment for Bob, Sr.