Zoo Responses re Second Store

Preliminary responses from the Zoo regarding the second Zoo store costs:

Construction cost is not determined till the project is put out to bid. A square-footage estimate would place cost at $1.6 million.

From an email from Zoo spokesman David Schaefer: "We know from surveying our customers that many of them want to have a store at the exit as a service, to purchase not only souvenirs of their zoo experience but also books, toys, and sustainable and environmentally responsible gifts. In addition, we sell merchandise at the store that helps support more than 20 field conservation projects in countries around the globe.

Certainly, the sales at the zoo store are an important part of our earned revenue, but that is not the only reason to have a store."

Also:

"Current revenues from the ZooStore are about $1.3 million annually. Net earnings on that revenue are $250,000 to $300,000. When the second ZooStore is open, we expect our revenue from both stores to increase to about $2.3 million and net earnings to be $450,000 or more."

(Save Our Zoo has asked for clarification of "net earnings," i.e. does it reflect loan amortization, maintenance and operation and other ongoing costs.)

We will report back further responses as they become available.