Petco opened its doors yesterday morning, joining a lineup of several other mainland retailers that recently debuted at Kapolei Commons.

The 15,000-square-foot Petco is the first on Oahu and second in Hawaii. A Petco opened at Kona Commons in October of last year.

Both locations hired about 30 employees to staff the stores.

Doug Sorenson, Petco regional vice president, said plans to open stores in Hawaii were “;years in the making”; and that it is still seeking additional locations.

With stores in Hawaii, Petco now has close to 950 stores in all 50 U.S. states.

“;We felt the community was underserved, in Hawaii as a whole, and in Kapolei specifically,”; said Sorenson.

Petco joins OfficeMax and Sports Authority, which recently opened at Kapolei Commons, an open-air mall under joint development by The MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group.

Target opens stores in Salt Lake and Kapolei tomorrow. Ross Dress for Less is expected to open next door to Petco Kapolei in mid-September.

Aloha Salads, Kua Aina Sandwich, Subway, Salon Bobbi and Guy and other small retail tenants are expected to open some time this month.

Lorraine Martinez and Pat Chardon were excited to shop Petco for the first time in Hawaii with their two Yorkshire terrier pups, Koa and Kai, yesterday morning. They live right next door and say it will be a great convenience.

“;We're animal lovers personified,”; said Martinez. “;These are our babies and they get nothing but the best.”;

Petco, based in San Diego, allows leashed pets in the store, in addition to dog-training classes and grooming.

Petco will hold a three-day grand opening celebration starting Friday, offering a best-dressed pet contest, pet photographer, $10 gift cards to the first 100 customers through the door on Saturday, and adoptions from the Hawaiian Humane Society.