Business Bits: Psychic Kitty To Close

Wakefield’s pet retailer, , located in the Maine Shopping Center, will close at the end of January after seven years in town.

The pet-supply shop moved from a storefront in South County Commons in April to cut costs, said owner Lyn Blecharczyk.

“The economy killed me,” she said in an interview on Tuesday afternoon. “Everyone is cutting back. I cut back and the new location has been better and I’ve gotten new customers, but it doesn’t counteract the ones that have drifted away.”

Blecharczyk hopes to liquidate most of her inventory in a closing sale over the next two weeks. All inventory except food and supplements will be up to 50% off.

Don't let the name fool you, Psychic Kitty sells great treats for canines as well. Head down and grab your favorite furry friend a new toy, collar, lead or bowl before they’re all gone.

“I thank all of my customers and supporters for seven great years,” Blecharczyk said.

Psychic Kitty is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., on Thursday from 2 – 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.

The Wakefield office of , headed by local businesswoman Sandra Cutting, was named one of the Top 100 H&R Block offices in the Country at the end of last year.

Out of more than 12,000 offices nationwide, Cutting’s office in the Wakefield Office Park, 24 Salt Pond Road, Wakefield, achieved the Top 100 status through exceptional performance, demonstrated excellence in client service, completion of industry-recognized qualifications and extensive experience in serving clients with complex financial needs.

 locally of Main Street, recently bought Page Taft, a Connecticut-based real estate firm, extending the family-owned company’s reach from New Haven to Cape Cod and throughout Rhode Island.

Randall and Page Taft, which will retain its name in the takeover, are affiliated with the Real Living network, which represents more than 10,000 real estate professionals worldwide.

“This merger expands Randall Realtors’ family of companies to 26 offices along the coast across three states,” said Doug Randall, founder and CEO. “It confirms our confidence in the southern New England real estate market as we head into 2012.”

With this latest acquisition, Randall also announced a new corporate name, The Randall Family of Companies. It lists residential and commercial real estate, summer and yearly rentals, second home sales, and offers relocation services, property management, commercial leasing and investment properties.

Organic food market, Food For Thought, won a license to expand its retail hours at Monday night’s Town Council meeting.

The whole-foods shop, which moved from Narragansett to its current location at 557 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, last September, will now be open on holidays to better accommodate customers, said store owner Kristina Wilk.

Wilk said the expansion allowed her to hire more staff, increase product diversity and now, increase hours.

Food For Thought is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.