April 2, 2025

Morgan and Austin Weber’s love for animals can been seen in their Sioux Falls home.

They removed a bar in the basement so they could install a 430-gallon saltwater reef aquarium, which they have filled with corals of diverse kinds and various fish, including those familiar to “Finding Nemo” fans: the vivid blue tang and the clownfish.

Anna Krcil Images

The tank is 8-foot-long and wide enough for a person to lay down in, Morgan Weber said.

The Weber home also includes two other aquariums, a senior mixed-breed dog, two young beagles, an occasional foster dog and a tortoise. It’s no surprise, then, that the couple chose careers that involved animals. And when they had the chance to purchase an existing pet-supply store, the Webers took it.

The Webers purchased Woofs and Waves, 5426 E. Arrowwood Parkway, late last year from founders Mark and Nicole Olesen. Mark Olesen will continue at the store, sharing his 30-plus years of pet retail expertise. The Olesens opened Woofs and Waves in 2015.

Morgan and Austin Weber

“Mark and Nicole have created something truly special here,” Austin Weber said. “We’re honored to build on the foundation they’ve established while bringing in fresh ideas to enhance our services for our customers and their pets.”

Austin Weber has worked at Woofs and Waves since 2017. Previous employment included Petco stores in Bismarck, North Dakota, and in Sioux Falls, where he was the fish department manager.

The Webers also own Lucky Pup Adventures and Aquarium Keepers. Lucky Pup is a local dog-walking and pet-sitting service that Morgan Weber co-owns and operates. She started her first dog-walking and pet-sitting service in Bismarck in 2014.

Aquarium Keepers, which sets up, cleans and services aquariums, eventually will be folded into Woofs and Waves, Morgan Weber said. Aquariums can be complicated, and fish can be expensive, she said. Aquarium Keepers helps protect that investment.

In addition to customer service, the Webers will focus on three areas: expanded subscription and delivery services, a new community give-back program and enhanced customer connections, partnering with other local businesses to enrich Sioux Falls’ pet-owner community.

While many online retailers offer subscription services, using the Woofs and Waves program will support a local business, Morgan Weber said. Customers can come into the store to set it up or use the business’ website, having pet food and other products delivered at no charge on a preferred schedule. Free delivery to Sioux Falls, Tea, Harrisburg and Brandon is offered.

The Webers also are starting a rescue donation program. Every month, the store will partner with an animal rescue group to raise awareness and financial contributions.

“We’ll print flyers with adoptable pets with that rescue and include it with every bag that goes out to get more awareness for different adoptable pets,” Morgan Weber said. “On the last Tuesday of every month, we’re doing a give-back program. Ten percent of all in-store sales for the day go to that month’s rescue.”

Austin Weber is a Mitchell native; Morgan Weber grew up on a farm near Howard. As a child, she considered becoming a veterinarian. They met at a church camp when they were 14 and started dating in high school. They both attended Montana State University in Bozeman. Austin Weber’s background is in industrial engineering.

The Webers enjoy the camaraderie of the pet-retail business, both with customers and other owners.

“You really get to know people,” Morgan Weber said. “You solve problems. You help them find the right food for itchy dogs.”

The only live animals that Woofs and Waves sells are fish, Morgan Weber said. It has the necessary supplies for all other pets.

Morgan Weber describes the ownership transition as comfortable. “Austin has been there so long,” she said. “We’re going to expand into new things but continue the best part, just bring our own flavor to it and continue to expand.”