Meet Our Staff
Pete and Paula
Founders
Paula and Pete received a cockatiel as a wedding present 50 years ago. Their love for birds eventually grew into a hobby, breeding birds in their home, and then into a business. They opened into a retail store 30 years ago. "We are blessed that the shop is now in the capable hands of our daughter, Bernadette". They are currently enjoying retirement although they still like to sneak in every once in awhile.
Liz
Baby Care and Sales Staff
Liz is essential in making sure babies are hand fed, customers are up to date on their birds, and early morning feedings. Along with her two dogs, she and her husband have a Red Rump Parakeet, two Saffron Finches, 3 Owl Finches, 2 Gouldian Finches, 2 Society Finches, and a Koi Fish.
Mary
Sales Staff
While Mary started with us first as a volunteer in 2020, she has been part of our sales staff since 2021. Mary’s favorite thing to do is help new customers handle birds and discover a love for birds. Mary has a menagerie of animals including many budgies, Doves, Cockatiels, House Sparrows, some chickens and a dog.
Madeline
Care and Sales Staff
Madeline began as a volunteer and in 2023 officially became apart of our team. She one of the main boarding room cleaners and in her free time enjoys volunteering in our aviary when the days are nice. At home she has a Linnie, Lovebird Cockatiel, a budgie, 5 dogs and 2 goldfish.
Bernadette
Owner
Since the store opened the year Bernie was born, she’s been around the birds from the beginning. Bernie has managed the store since 2010 after her graduation from The Ohio State University and officially took over ownership in 2024. Her focus has been on educating customers specifically on nutrition, enrichment, and toy making. At home she has an Umbrella Cockatoo, 2 Blue Head Pionus, a Rock Pebbler and 2 Cockatiels.
Ivy
Sales Staff
Ivy has been with us since Fall 2021 after being a long time customer. She helps take care of our breeders and store pets and is happy to help our customers on our open days. At home she shares her life with four cockatiels, several budgies, four zebra finches and a breeding pair of canaries. On the sidelines she is a huge love for aquatic and reptile care.
Lucy
Sales Staff
Lucy joined the SBF staff after moving here from Texas. She is now helping in all aspects of the store in pet and breeder care, as well as a sales associate on the floor. Her first bird was one of our babies, a Blue Headed Pionus. She also owns: Sugar Gliders, Isopods, a gecko, a shrimp aquarium and a dog named Apollo.
Lisa
Head Volunteer Coordinator
Lisa has been on our staff since 2022 and has been an avid bird lover for many years now and we are happy to have her on the team to help guide and encourage our volunteers and staff. At home she has: a Bare-eyed cockatoo, Vasa parrot, Linnie, Quaker, Red-rumped parakeet, Lovebird and a Green Cheek Conure.