Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008, 6:42 p.m., EDT

With same-store sales growth of 17 percent for the first two quarters of 2008, pet boutique chain Muttropolis, A Utopia for Pets & Their Parents, appointed Michael Edwards as new chairman of the board and co-founder Steve Goldberg as chief executive officer.
 
“Mike Edwards is the ideal candidate to lead Muttropolis from a five-store concept to a leading national specialty retailer,” Goldberg said. “He has extensive experience in both merchandising and operations, and a proven record in building and growing retail organizations in multiple categories.”

Edwards, who will join the five-store chain Aug. 1, most recently grew Portland-based Lucy Activewear from 10 to more than 60 stores as president and CEO. Lucy was sold to VF Corp. in August 2007 for $110 million. He’s also held merchandising and operating roles at JoAnn Stores, West Marine, Golfsmith, CompUSA, Target and May Department Stores and is a trustee for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Portland State University.

In 2006, the ICSC named Solana Beach, Calif.-based Muttropolis as the “hottest retail concept of the year.”

“With its first store opening in 2002 and five stores now in operation throughout Southern California, Colorado and Arizona, Muttropolis is a growing specialty retail concept that is fast on its way to becoming the preeminent brand and retail experience in the rapidly expanding, $43-plus-billion pet industry,” Edwards said. “Muttropolis has great opportunities ahead and I look forward to helping them accelerate to the next level of growth.

With those moves, co-founders Janet McCulley and Georgia Goldberg will continue to advise the company and continue as creative and management executives, focusing on merchandising, marketing and strategic initiatives.

Goldberg himself has experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry, owning the live music venue Belly Up Tavern and restaurant Pacific Coast Grill, with dog-friendly garden patio, in Solana Beach, and serving as managing partner of the Belly Up Tavern and sushi bar Matsuhisa in Aspen, Colo. <HOME>