The locally owned and well-known pet shop The Ark has moved across town. Previously located on Hayward Avenue in Campustown, the shop now sits along Lincoln Way, across from Hy-Vee and next to McDonalds.

“Our primary concern was exposure,” said Dave Metcalf, owner of The Ark.

The pet shop used to be in a basement of another building with limited lighting and ventilation. The new location offers more visibility to the public, more windows and a bigger space inside for the animals.

The store moved out of its old location on Oct. 1 and reopened Oct. 10. All the animals in the shop made the move safely. However, it was hardest on the fish, one of the shop’s specialties.

“They had to be taken out of their specially kept environment, that made it really tough,” Metcalf said.

All the critters have settled into their new home on Lincoln Way. According to their owner, they’re happier with more light and space. The shop is now open to the public and is planning to stay in its new building as long as it can.