In a tranquil corner of San Francisco, amidst the melodious songs of exotic birds, John Chan’s life took an unexpected turn, creating a whirlwind of excitement and heartfelt connections.
“It’s been surreal,” Chan expressed. “After the news, it felt like a non-stop storm of a hundred calls, texts, emails, and more. I worked day and night to respond to all the questions.”
A month ago, KPIX brought to light a touching story that touched the hearts of many. After dedicating four decades of his life to the family-owned Pet Central in Chinatown, Chan was ready to embark on his well-deserved retirement. He decided to take a unique approach to find the next caretaker for his beloved store by posting an ad on the Nextdoor app.
The ad, which read, “Pet store for sale, looking for someone who loves animals. Asking price is $0,” garnered immediate attention and a fair share of disbelief. “Everybody asked, ‘Are you kidding? Are you sure about this?'” Chan recalled.
However, the store wasn’t entirely free. Chan hoped to recover his investment in inventory, valued at approximately $120,000. His primary goal was to find someone who would cherish the animals and carry forward the close-knit relationships he had built with his loyal customers, who he considered friends and family.
Following the broadcast of his story, Chan was inundated with hundreds of applications from around the globe. Even Nextdoor itself reached out, encouraging him to provide an update, as his story became their top post for an entire week.
“It spread like wildfire,” Chan marveled. “In the first few days, it was local, then it reached other states like Texas and Missouri. After another week, it extended to other countries. People were emailing from Singapore, Canada, and I couldn’t believe it.”
After a thorough selection process, Chan found the ideal successor in Christopher Blake, a former teamster who, as of Friday, proudly assumed ownership of the pet store.
Blake, along with two childhood friends who grew up in Chinatown, were moved by the story they came across on YouTube. “I saw CBS News had an article about John giving up the pet store for $0, and my friends and I couldn’t let this place go,” Blake explained.
Chan believed that Blake and his partners were the perfect fit. They were not only passionate but also had a genuine love for animals, many of which they had purchased from Pet Central. For Blake, keeping the store was a way to honor his late father, who had frequented the store with him and had passed away during the pandemic.
“I feel like Willy Wonka,” Blake exclaimed. “I feel like I won the golden ticket.”
As for Chan, he’s already planning his first vacation in 15 years. “It’s very exciting,” he said with a smile. “You made me big news.”
Relatd Topics:
