Roma and Laimutis Mickevičiai, the owners of the Dora store, say that they have been in the trade all their lives

Roma and Laimutis Mickevičiai are the owners and founders of the Alytus pet food and care supplies store “Dora”. Their shop is in its 21st year of operation. According to Laimutis, trading success comes with experience and connections. Although, according to him, the beginning of the business was difficult.

Laimutis is from Alytus, graduated from the fifth high school in Alytus. After starting to work in trade, the young man became obsessed with money, so he did not finish his studies at the then Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI). “Kaunas taught me trade and its subtleties,” says Laimutis. But he did not stay long in this city. “I was drawn to my native Alytus, everything here is beautiful and sweet to me,” continues the interviewer. After returning to the capital of Dzūkija, L. Mickevičius continued to work in trade. “I liked my work, but I wouldn’t want to go back to those Soviet times,” says the businessman from Alytus.

Merchant’s Road

A sleazy merchant to the bone. After Lithuania regained its independence, it turned to trade and has not let go of it for more than 30 years. After the borders were opened, he traded with Poland, he admits that he also had to transport contraband goods, later he sold various goods in the market of Alytus. Now, together with his wife, the husband manages the Alytus pet food and care store “Dora”. Although the original plan was different – he wanted to sell vegetables. However, his wife Roma’s heart was towards animals, so the couple decided to open a store where the goods would be for animals. “Dora” opened its doors in Alytus in 2003. The first small shop was located at: Naujoji g. 28. “Adapted three-room apartment on the first floor,” the entrepreneur says about the first premises. Now he sells not only pet food, but also small animals themselves. “We got the basics of trade while working and studying at the same time,” continues the interviewer, who initially worked with his wife Roma, and later hired two more sellers. “We are constantly trying to expand the assortment, we are looking for suppliers. We ourselves go to Poland to look for exclusive products, so that we can offer customers much more than other stores”, says Laimutis. Thinking back to the beginning of the business in Alytus, he says that the beginning was difficult, he even borrowed a lot of money.

It has been nine years since the “Dora” store has been located in the spacious premises of the former children’s polyclinic. Occupies an area of ​​about 250 square meters. “You can also buy a talking parrot from us,” smiles the interviewer. When asked about the competition, Laimutis says: “Everyone sells pet products, except gas stations. Competition is high, especially in a city like Alytus. We aim to stand out, so we sell quality feed so that the customer will appreciate it and come back.” He cooperates with “Keturkojo viltimis”, veterinarians and other pet stores in Alytus.

Leisure time – garden and travel

Laimutis and his wife Roma were brought together by fate after the separation after their first marriage, their parents were co-workers and, according to Laimutis, he knew from his father’s stories that Roma was like this and how she was doing. “My Roma studied well at school, but for some reason she “goofed up” and decided to study at the Balbieriškis Vocational School after eight grades, which she graduated with honors,” said Laimutis. Spouses have been together for more than 30 years. And while climbing over the decades, dreams only increase. While talking with Laimučius, his wife Roma cheerfully shouts: “We dream of going to Las Vegas to play in the casino!”. “And seriously, we want there to be no war and health not to be neglected,” says L. Mickevičius. The leisure interests of both spouses coincide – taking care of the homestead, planting plants and flowers, as well as traveling. “Holidays between work and affairs are hard to find. We try to go somewhere at least twice a year. Although it happens that a year goes by without a vacation,” said Laimutis. When asked what he would wish for his customers, he says: “Not feeding animals human food. What is good for humans is not good for animals.”

Daniel Jakubavičius