AGAWAM – The owner of Dave’s Soda and Pet City, a local pet supply chain, has sold five of his stores keeping only the Agawam location.

Dave Ratner previously owned the five stores, which were located in Ludlow, Hadley, Northampton, Ware, Agawam, and Stafford, CT. About six months ago, Ratner sold all locations except the Agawam one, which he described as his “forever home” in a video on Facebook.

Ratner said he sold the businesses for several reasons. “When I hit 65, several years ago, my kids moved away, they didn’t want the business,” he said. “A couple of the leases were up, and it’s time to start winding down.”

He said it was all just “getting to be too much,” but still “wanted to stay active in the business.” So he kept the Agawam business, which is close to his house and where he owns the building. Ratner also joked, “I needed a place to go every day so my wife doesn’t kill me.”

Ratner told Reminder Publishing he didn’t tell anyone about the change in ownership because he “didn’t want to scare the customers.

“I just wanted everyone to see that things are really the same,” he said. “Many times a company sells and new owners say nothing’s going to change and two seconds later everything changes.”

The stores, he said, have already changed names to Smithland Supplies and will remain pet supply stores. Ratner also said they will essentially operate the same as Dave’s Soda and Pet City has for years. “It’s been six months they’re still doing the same things I did,” he noted. He said all the employees who worked at the Dave’s Soda and Pet City locations continued on with the new owners.

Ratner explained the change in ownership in a video on Facebook, and said the new owners are not part of a national chain. “They have seven Agway stores in Connecticut, now they have my five stores, and they want to open more stores throughout New England,” he explained. “They will be very good for our communities, our employees and of course, our pets.”

In a press release, Smithland Supplies said they “will offer customers the same great products, brands and staff customers have come to expect from Dave’s Soda and Pet City brand.” Smithland Supplies also said it will “offer in-store activations and sponsored community events to help customers better understand the products, brands and industries served.”

Ratner said over the 44-years he’s been in business he’s enjoyed giving many young people their very first job. He said he’s not sure how many people he’d given jobs to over the years. And while those employees have continued on to other things, “They’ve learned their work ethic, how to treat customers, and fellow employees.”

He said one thing that also gives him “great pride” and that he can tell his children, “is how many schools and organizations invited me to speak to kids.”

Ratner said, “It’s really cool when people think you’re good enough and have enough wisdom to speak into the lives of children.”

He said he’s looking forward to “playing with his grandchildren” during some of his free time.