Hidden Gem - Marengo: Pet shop home to exotic offerings

Jennifer Corbin, co-owner of Corbin's Exoctic Pets, interacts with one of the two Green Wing McCaw's in the store. (Lauren M. Anderson - landerson@nwherald.com)

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>> Watch a video feature on Corbin's Exotic Pets

MARENGO – Corbin’s Exotic Pets is a hidden gem in Marengo.

Tucked away in Suite B at 212 Lindow Lane in the Northwest Commerce Center, the road to the shop has the same entrance as Marengo High School, and the business slowly has taken over more space as it has expanded.

What once was 2,500 square feet will be 18,000 square feet after renovations, serving as a home to both terrestrial and marine animals, some unusual and others more common.

Along with mali uromastyx, blue-tongued skinks, and red sand ameiva were puppies, such as Duke the Labradoodle and a 3-month-old female cocker spaniel.

There’s also an albino alligator named Ali, one of only 75 remaining in the world, said Mark Corbin, who co-owns the business with his wife, Jennifer. But the alligator is not for sale, instead used for educational programs.

Speedy and Rocket, sulcata tortoises who are both at least 60 pounds and growing, also are in the shop to greet customers.

“They call us the Marengo zoo,” Jennifer Corbin said.

That’s kind of the idea the Corbins are going for, Mark Corbin said.

“We figured we’d make it more of a destination than a pet shop,” he said, although they do have pet supplies, like collars and toys.

The shop, which Mark Corbin said most people find out about over the Internet, draws people from beyond Marengo, including Crystal Lake, Hampshire, Huntley, Belvidere and Rockford.

Sales have dipped slightly because of the economy, but that hasn’t stopped people from coming in, Mark Corbin said.

“We’ve actually been extremely busy, and foot traffic has been very good,” he said.

Their private room often is booked for birthday parties, and some animals travel for other private events or school educational programs.

Snakes were what got it all started for Mark Corbin, who bought his first snake, a ball python named Kenny, about 10 years ago. He started breeding snakes in his bedroom at his parents’ house – he said they weren’t too pleased in the beginning – and began to turn a profit.

“The main thing in this industry that people will tell you is hobbies turn into jobs,” he said. “Usually, in this kind of industry, you just fall into it.”

Jennifer Corbin came from more of an agricultural background, with experience with horses, Mark Corbin said.

But snakes and other exotic pets aren’t right for everyone, the couple warns. In January, they hosted an information session about owning a snake, including housing, diseases and feeding. Come March, they hope to have more programs about pet ownership, including seminars about saltwater tanks.

“We like to do stuff that’s different, that’s for sure,” Mark Corbin said.

>> Click to watch a video feature on Corbin's Exotic Pets.