New pet store specializes in exotic reptiles | Rome Daily Sentinel - Rome Sentinel

SHERRILL — When walking into Upscale Exotics, don't expect any fuzzy stuff.

That's the motto of Sherrill's new pet store — Upscale Exotics, a family-owned retail reptile store that opened its doors on June 19. All manner of exotic reptiles are up for sale, from snakes and tortoises to turtles and lizards with new pets coming in regularly.

The store is owned and operated by Tim and Andrea Becker. Oneida residents might recognize Tim as the owner of Mind Games. Originally from Camden, he said reptiles have always been a passion for him — having been a reptile breeder for 30 years — and he's spent the last 13 years planning and preparing Upscale Exotics.

"It's a new, fresh start for me," Becker said. "In the basement, I came up with the business plan, I drew the models, and 13 years later, the presentation of the store is exactly what I have in my book."

Becker credits his family's work, helping make it possible to open the doors and keep things running. As for the community, Becker couldn't be happier with the response he's received since opening his doors.

"The outpouring of support has been here since the first day we've opened," Becker said. Being so close to the Turning Stone Casino, people from all over the country have stopped in to see what's for sale.

"The alternate pet world is starting to show its face and places like PetCo and Petsmart, and we wanted to show the world what a real pet store is when it's developed for reptiles only," Becker said. "We want to specialize and not worry about being a pet store that has everything for every customer."

Upscale Exotics features special climate-controlled PVC cages that keep each creature comfortable and secure. After a sale, cages are cleaned thoroughly, let to sit for 10 days, and then reconfigured to house a new animal.

"The store is going to change frequently as every week, we bring in new animals that have passed our quarantine, have had exams, and then put on display in the store for sale," Becker said. "So when you go home with a pet, you know everything is up to standard and starting with a nice, healthy animal."

And besides just pets for sale, Becker plans to use two exhibits to teach local children about the reptile world.

One is an Argentine Tegu affectionately named "Tony," and the other features two rare panther chameleons.

"We had a very generous local chameleon breeder offer us a pair of panther chameleons that are super rare to have in captivity," Becker said. "The male has courted the female, so they'll be producing offspring, and we'll be selling them to pet homes in the future."

Both enclosures are still being worked on, with the chameleon exhibit getting a mister and an additional tree soon. Becker said Tony's enclosure is expected to be finished within the next two months. Until then, Becker has been working on socializing with Tony. Argentine Tegus are very intelligent and social animals described as "dog-like" that require a lot of attention.

Becker hopes to discuss field trip opportunities at local schools so children can learn something new about reptiles.

"At VVS High School, when students have earth science classes, I teach genetics and adaptation, and I bring animals," he said. "Teachers have said how they'd like to pay me to come in, but I don't accept their money. And now, I have a place where students can come and learn."

Becker stresses the importance of ensuring pets go home with people that will ensure they're as healthy, happy, and safe as they were in the store.

One type of pet that's been getting popular as of late are turtles, and at the turtle enclosure at Upscale Exotics, a painted turtle could run $80 while an albino turtle could run upwards of $1,000 — but they're expensive for a reason.

"These are expensive because they're rare. For some of them, there's less than 15 in the world," Becker said. "They were provided to us by Gerard Siatkowski, who owns albinoturtles.com."

When an animal goes out the door, Becker said he'll always be worried and wants to make absolutely sure it'll be taken care of and loved.

"We provide a care sheet for every animal, and that's how we take care of it, so when you get home, you're giving it the same care," he said.

During the grand opening, Becker said a father and his nine-year-old daughter had come into the store, looking for a pet. The daughter had wanted one of the albino turtles.

"I asked him 'she wants it or you want it?' and he said again, she wants it," Becker said. "I asked him if he understood the kind of care that turtle is going to take. He said, 'Yeah, I'm going to show her for a week and a half, and then it's all on her.'"

Becker showed the father the turtle tank, everything that came in the kit, and just what went into care.

"I told him, 'There are 36 objects in this kit that your daughter will need education on how to use, operate, and how to set up to make sure that turtle lives. And I do not feel safe enough, and I'm refusing your $1,700 sale."

Becker said that's how he plans to operate in the future — putting the safety and the well-being of the pet first before a sale and ensuring new pet owners know just about everything they need to know when taking home a pet from his store.

For more information about Upscale Exotics, visit www.upscaleexotics.com or call 315-376-5002

Reptile owners in the area looking for care tips can visit Upscale Exotics Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UpscaleCurator and leave a message or stop in the store during business owners.

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