According to the 2011 Findings Report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, annual spending on bird food and wildlife feed increased from $4 to $5 billion from the 2006 report. Annual spending on bird feeders, bird baths and nesting boxes have also increased, from $780 to $969 million. The increase in demand for these products has spurred the growth of Wild Birds Unlimited in the Tampa area. Wild Birds Unlimited is the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores in North America with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. The growing franchise system is opening a new location in Clearwater on August 15, currently has one location in Tampa, and is seeking to open additional retail locations in Brandon, St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs.
Local entrepreneur Carl Albritton turned his twenty year hobby into a business by opening Wild Birds Unlimited of Safety Harbor, located at 2454 N. McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater. The 56-year-old has always had a passion for bird watching, which all started in 1987 during a trip to his parent’s house in Belleville, Illinois. For 32 years, he worked for AT&T heritage companies, but when he retired last year, he decided it was the perfect opportunity to open a business and introduce others to a hobby that he cares about dearly. Although the store doesn’t open until August 15, it has been busy for the past month as curious community residents stop by the unique new business to find out what Wild Birds Unlimited is all about.
Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together by offering expert advice about the backyard bird feeding industry, the best bird feeding supplies and nature products, and by hosting educational events in each community they represent. The Clearwater location is the first store in Florida to feature an innovative look as the company re-brands their new locations to enhance the customer experience. Wild Birds Unlimited of Safety Harbor is built on seven acres of land to enhance the wild life factor and will include bird feeding stations and nesting boxes around the property. The new store will also utilize the latest technology in wild bird feeding, which will include a 60” interactive touch screen that will allow customers to diagram the layout of their backyard to ensure the products purchased are the best fit for each unique environment.
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“We are thrilled to share our business with the Clearwater community,” said Carl Albritton. “Our Certified Bird feeding Specialists™ are trained to show residents how to turn their yard into a bird feeding habitat that not only brings song, color and life to the home, but also benefits wild birds and the environment.”
For more information about Wild Birds Unlimited of Safety Harbor, visit http://clearwater.wbu.com/.
