SOLD: Verdguo Pet Shop Property No Longer on the Market

One of Highland Park's hottest real estate commodities, the Vergugo Pet Shop, is no longer on the market.

The longtime pet shop sold for $600,000 in January, according to NAI Capital Agent Marie Taylor.

"It was sold to investors," Taylor told Patch on Thursday afternoon. "They've asked that I do not disclose who they are. I'm not sure what they are going to do with it."

The property hit the market in October, listing at $565,000 at the time.

As previously reported on Patch, longtime shop owner Hervey Chapman died in February of 2011. Almost immediately, neighborhood residents started speculating about what would become of the 3,000-sq. ft. building that sits at ground zero of York Boulevard's business boom.

The property stands adjacent to popular nightlife spots The York and and is passed every month by thousands of art lovers who flock to York's strip of galleries during NELA Art's Second Saturday Gallery Night.

It's also located within the business corridor primed for redevelopment through councilmember Jose Huizar's vision plan.

Some Patch commenters have written that they would prefer to see an established chain store, like a Starbucks, move into the property. However, York Boulevard is already home to two popular coffee shops, El Chapin (soon to be The Highland) and .

Others have said they would prefer to see the property occupied by a local business owner, who would actively participate in the ongoing revitalization of York between Avenues 50 and 56, which has been predominantly spurred by independent, locally owned shops.