Silverdale Pet Supplies opened its doors on Lithgow's Main Street on Thursday, July 1.

Husband-wife team Eric and Angela Greig saw the opportunity to open a new pet store following Jeff Draper's decision to close Simdra Pet and Hobby Mart after 23 years.

"We saw the pet shop was closing down so I asked him if he wanted to sell it and he said yes. We are in a different shop to what he was in, we just bought the stock off him," Angela said.

But that wasn't the only reason for opening a pet store as Angela suffered a stroke in 2017 and thought she would never be able to work again.

"I had to learn to walk, talk and dress myself again, I think that if I didn't buy myself a business I probably wouldn't be able to work again," she said.

She said the pet supplies store was born out of her love for animals and aquatic life, in particular Axolotls which she developed a keen interest in while recovering from her stroke.

"I've loved animals forever and in the last few years I developed an interest in Axolotls which are a Mexican walking fish and I began breeding them as a hobby."

"I love them because they've got a cute little face. They've got the biggest smile and they always seem to be happy."

Angela said her Axolotls would be available to purchase as well as a number of other pet supplies at the business.

"We're offering dog and cat food and supplies, toys, beds and essentially all supplies and food for small animals like birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles."

"We'll have a lot of reptile supplies like their food, we'll have worms and crickets and mealworms and pinkies and rabbits and quails."

"We will also stock supplies for aquatics such as aquariums, fish food, ornaments and all that sort of stuff," she said.

She said she was keen to provide the people of Lithgow and surrounding areas with all their pet supply needs.

"I want people to be able to get everything in Lithgow. I know a lot of people have to travel to Bathurst or down the Mountains to be able to get what they need. So my hope is that they'll be able to get everything here," she said.

Angela wanted to thank the Lithgow community for welcoming Silverdale Pet Supplies and the businesses that have helped them open up.

I'm really thankful for all the businesses that have helped us out like Logan signs and Fitz 'n' Pieces shopfitters... just everyone's been so helpful to be able to get us open on time," she said.

She also said the community had also been welcoming following her and Eric's move from Blacktown.

"I love Lithgow so much. I honestly it's been the best move of my life. The community's just been so lovely, kind and welcoming," she said.

"I was so surprised. I was actually really nervous about moving all the way up here because I was in Blacktown for 15 years and I've only been in Australia for 21 years, coming from New Zealand originally."

"Lithgow has been beautiful. It reminds me of New Zealand actually, the community with everyone being so friendly and stuff," she said.

Silverdale Pet Supplies is located at 28B Main Street and is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and 12pm-4pm on Saturdays.