Ed’s Pet World building in Homewood could be yours for $2.2 million
Ed’s Pet World, a fixture in downtown Homewood selling exotic animals, tropical fish and even toys since 1982, has put its building up for sale.
Seth Cosby, the owner and son of the store’s namesake, Ed Cosby, said he’s not yet ready to discuss details on the future of the store beyond confirming the building is up for sale.
“I’m super busy,” Cosby said as he prepared to leave the store on a trip Thursday, but promised to reveal more later.
The building is listed for sale for $2.2 million by RealtySouth.
The first Ed’s Pet World opened in 1974 in Columbiana, then moved to the Hoover Mall before settling in Homewood at the current location at 2730 18th Street South.
Ed’s Pet World has been an eclectic dealer of exotic animals for decades, a go-to place if you wanted to buy a Burmese python, a parakeet, a bearded dragon or a tarantula.
The store was like a condensed zoo, with cockatiels sharing space with rabbits, hamsters and snakes. The walls are lined with aging Star Wars and superhero toys, usually still in their original packages.
From 1988-2000, a three-legged, tiger-striped cat named Cassidy greeted customers as they entered the odoriferous premises.
Employees for decades would bring animals for show to children’s birthday parties and to the Homewood Public Library, where children could pet a dwarf caiman alligator, a tortoise, a cockatiel or a tarantula.
The store has often been a magnet for controversy.
In 2001, a woman sued the store for $5 million when she said Charlie the Amazon parrot, who had lived in the store for 10 years, dove into her face and bit her under her left eye. A Jefferson County jury awarded her $3,000.
Animal rights activists have long complained about the store.
This year, more than 700 people signed a petition calling for closure of the store because of what the petition described as “deplorable conditions” for the animals.
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