Joele Frank handles Pet Valu Inc. as the specialty pet food and supplies retailer announced Nov. 4 that it is closing its 358 stores and warehouses in the Northeast and Midwest due to the negative impact of COVID-19.

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Jamie Gould, Pet Valu chief restructuring officer, said the protracted COVID-19 restrictions significantly hurt business and triggered the “difficult but necessary decision to commence this orderly wind down.”

He pledged to offer customers “even better deals and value” during the store closing process and assist “our dedicated associates through the transition.”

He thanked employees for “going above and beyond” in helping customers as an essential service during the pandemic.

Based in Wayne, PA, Pet Valu licenses its name from Pet Valu Canada, which is a separate company and will remain open.

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher has Michael Freitag, Leigh Parrish and Aaron Palash on the Pet Valu business.