Animal Kingdom was a pet store, but it was also so much more! It was first opened in 1944 at 3021 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood by owner Bernie Hoffmann. It later moved down the street to 2980 North Milwaukee Avenue and was owned by Bernie Hoffmann’s son Robert Hoffmann and his wife Sandra.
It started as a traditional pet shop selling puppies, kittens, and fish, but soon more non-traditional/ exotic animals were added to the fold. This was largely due to the growth of television. They started renting animals for TV show appearances and other events. This started when a magician came in and requested two doves to use in his act. Later, the regular house pets were joined by monkeys, tigers and exotic birds. It should be noted that this was before governmental regulations were added that regulated and/or restricted the sale of exotic animals. It’s also important to mention that the animals were very well cared for. Large animals were allowed to walk around the store before opening hours began and employees routinely took pets home to provide extra care if needed.
The most famous animal by far was Chelveston the duck from the Ray Rayner show. My parents and I visited Animal Kingdom at least once a week (since we lived only a couple blocks away) and I was so excited to see Chelveston the duck!!!! After all, he was a TV star on one of my favorite shows. The store also hosted pet blessings and provided education programs for schools and libraries.
I have so many very positive memories of Animal Kingdom. It was a place I could visit with my parents and grandparents and later my friends. No matter what kind of day I was having …….when I saw the animals at Animal Kingdom it made me happy! My own cat’s six kittens also found homes thanks to Animal Kingdom. My Mom and Dad took me to visit them until they were sold.
Animal Kingdom closed in 2009 when the owners retired, but last week when I visited Milwaukee Avenue in Avondale and passed by where Animal Kingdom used to be it brought back all the wonderful memories and it made me change the title of this post from “Animal Kingdom – Lost Chicago” to “Animal Kingdom – Fondly Remembered”.
- Note – photos are from the public domain
Very interesting Linda. The only “Animal Kingdom “, I knew about was the television show. I don’t remember having a pet shop in my neighborhood. I do remember that Woolworths had birds and fish downtown. Ever so often, the birds would escape their cages and fly around the store.
Thanks Suzette. I remember the birds flying around Woolworths in my neighborhood too!