Manassas Mall has some new inhabitants – of the cold-blooded variety.
Raging Reptiles, a regional educational roadshow featuring hands-on programming about snakes, lizards and other ectotherms, has now “cold-opened” its storefront at Manassas Mall.
But that's not where owner Sean Masciandaro originally planned to open up shop.
Masciandaro signed a lease and made plans to open a 9,600-square-foot space at Potomac Mills mall this summer, but hit a snag before opening day when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals got involved. The Woodbridge mall's owner, Simon, had pledged to PETA back in 2011 to ban exhibits with wild and exotic animals at its malls, a point apparently forgotten when Masciandaro signed the lease.
After some unproductive discussions with Simon, Masciandaro decided to walk away. He says he got back his rent and deposit, around $13,000, just a fraction of the money he put into starting the storefront.
Raging Reptiles is part of Infinity Educational Productions, with Masciandaro traveling the Mid-Atlantic for the past 30 years with a few of his 200 snakes, lizards and turtles for educational performances at schools, festivals, libraries, birthday parties and more.
About two years ago, he decided to add the new storefront offering pet supplies, toys and apparel and an educational side with rotating displays of some of Masciandaro's more than 100 animal species from around the world.
After the deal with Potomac Mills fell apart, he reached out to management at Manassas Mall and a new storefront was born, though the new space near the At Home store is much smaller, about 3,000 square feet.
The space is part retail (but no live animal sales) and part exhibition education featuring snakes and reptiles like Kaa, a 20-foot python. All of Masciandaro's animals are housed in warehouse space in Fredericksburg and Philadelphia and are well taken care of by staff, he said.
“Everyone is super healthy,” Masciandaro said.
Raging Reptiles offers one-, two- and three-hour hands-on segments based on a theme or geographic area, and has been a hit with families. Parents can also drop children off for the longer sessions and enjoy some kid-free time shopping, Masciandaro said.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. See ragingreptiles.com for more information.
