PORT ORCHARD — Pet care retailer Petco won’t be setting up shop in Port Orchard after all.

The company confirmed Feb. 24 it has dropped plans to build a new store south of Taco Time on Vallair Court, adjacent to Bethel Avenue. Plans to build a new structure had been submitted last spring to the City of Port Orchard, according to Nick Bond, city community development director, in May. The building was to have been just under 12,000 square feet and would have joined the Bremerton store as the second South Kitsap location for the nationwide retailer.

The building was to have been just under 12,000 square feet and would have joined the Bremerton store as a second South Kitsap location for the nationwide retailer.

Plans by Petco had advanced to the point that a store manager had been selected for the Port Orchard location and employee positions advertised on job site indeed.com in May.

The company, however, has changed course and now says the location is no longer under consideration.

“Petco was considering that location, but later decided to go a different direction to ensure new stores are opened in areas that best serve pet parents,” company spokeswoman Stephanie Wilson said in an emailed response.

No other reasons were given by Petco for the decision to abandon the plan.