It could be the end of the line for the Cameo Pet Shop, a venerable Richmond Hill institution at Jamaica Avenue and 116th Street, as well as its venerable handpainted pair of awning signs. Cameo, which has been owned by the Gruebel family since it opened in 1947, was recently spotted with “Going Out of Business Sale” signs in its windows. Until 2011, the pet shop was home to Buttkiss, the oldest fish in captivity (named for NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus) who finally passed at the age of 45; it was stuffed and mounted on the pet shop wall.
The store is featured in Jamie McDonald’s book New York Originals, concerning businesses which have been operated by the same family for at least 30 years.
Photo: Bob Mulero
5/23/16