Every now and then I like to touch base on the state of local pet shops in our area, see how our hobby's faring.
In my neck of the woods, CT, things have been pretty stagnant with local pet shops. I can count on one hand the number of new ones that have popped up in the last 5 years, and most of the smaller ones have unfortunately closed up shop. We're left with the usual suspects - Petsmart, Petco, Walmart, and a handful of well-established pet shops that cater to us aquarium enthusiasts. They usually carry the more common fish, but rarely anything wild or exotic.
How about where you folks are? What's the state of the LFS and aquarium live stock scene in your area?
Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
I've got a couple of independent pet shops near me, both over 20 years old. One's just a few miles down the road, the other's about 10 miles away. Recently, a new pet store opened up right by my office - no fish, though, just other pets. Been open for a month now.
I've got a couple of independent pet shops near me, both over 20 years old. One's just a few miles down the road, the other's about 10 miles away. Recently, a new pet store opened up right by my office - no fish, though, just other pets. Been open for a month now.
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Around Wilmington, NC, we've got "The Fish Room" which is top-notch. Although they primarily focus on saltwater, the staff is super friendly and can order freshwater stock if you ask. They've also got multiple locations in NC - one in Cary and another in Raleigh, and I'm pretty sure there's one in Fayetteville too.
Another local place I highly recommend for less common fish is Bill's Pet Shop in New Bern, NC - they've also got a store in Havelock, NC. What's great about them is that they carry a nice selection of fish that you don't usually find elsewhere.
On the flip side, a place that recently closed down in Cary, NC was "The Pet Pad". They used to get discus in stock, but the quality was always questionable. Their overall stock was decent, but nothing too exciting - they stuck to safer choices.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how this thread unfolds, as I've always got a soft spot for local fish stores. While buying directly from breeders and vendors online is convenient, there's just something about walking into a new fish store that brings back that childhood excitement and wonder.
One of my fondest memories is still the first time I saw a royal pleco when I was around 10 or 11 years old - it was a big one, and it completely blew my mind.
Around Wilmington, NC, we've got "The Fish Room" which is top-notch. Although they primarily focus on saltwater, the staff is super friendly and can order freshwater stock if you ask. They've also got multiple locations in NC - one in Cary and another in Raleigh, and I'm pretty sure there's one in Fayetteville too.
Another local place I highly recommend for less common fish is Bill's Pet Shop in New Bern, NC - they've also got a store in Havelock, NC. What's great about them is that they carry a nice selection of fish that you don't usually find elsewhere.
On the flip side, a place that recently closed down in Cary, NC was "The Pet Pad". They used to get discus in stock, but the quality was always questionable. Their overall stock was decent, but nothing too exciting - they stuck to safer choices.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how this thread unfolds, as I've always got a soft spot for local fish stores. While buying directly from breeders and vendors online is convenient, there's just something about walking into a new fish store that brings back that childhood excitement and wonder.
One of my fondest memories is still the first time I saw a royal pleco when I was around 10 or 11 years old - it was a big one, and it completely blew my mind.
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Cincinnati has its fair share of big box stores, just like everywhere else. There are a few privately owned local fish stores around here, though. One's on the east side - I haven't made it out there since moving to Cincinnati. There's another one just down the street from me that specializes in less common, harder-to-find cichlids, mostly from Africa. They also carry a small selection of other warm water fish, along with some substrates, food, and decor. It's a tiny shop, and the owner's been open for about two years now. He's really catering to a niche market with those harder-to-find species. I just found out about another shop through Dennis last week - they carry freshwater, saltwater, and discus. Haven't been there yet, so I can't speak to the quality of their fish. It's tough for these small shops, though. Honestly, I don't think I've bought fish from an LFS in years. Being picky about quality and health, I've mostly been buying from reputable suppliers or private breeders over the past 15 years. I guess I might be part of the problem for small shop owners - it's hard to do everything well, and it's tough to make a profit when you're only catering to a few people.
Cincinnati has its fair share of big box stores, just like everywhere else. There are a few privately owned local fish stores around here, though. One's on the east side - I haven't made it out there since moving to Cincinnati. There's another one just down the street from me that specializes in less common, harder-to-find cichlids, mostly from Africa. They also carry a small selection of other warm water fish, along with some substrates, food, and decor. It's a tiny shop, and the owner's been open for about two years now. He's really catering to a niche market with those harder-to-find species. I just found out about another shop through Dennis last week - they carry freshwater, saltwater, and discus. Haven't been there yet, so I can't speak to the quality of their fish. It's tough for these small shops, though. Honestly, I don't think I've bought fish from an LFS in years. Being picky about quality and health, I've mostly been buying from reputable suppliers or private breeders over the past 15 years. I guess I might be part of the problem for small shop owners - it's hard to do everything well, and it's tough to make a profit when you're only catering to a few people.
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
I'm in a pretty good spot in the Detroit metro area. We've got the usual big-box stores like Petco and PetSmart, but what's great is that there are also some solid local fish stores nearby. I've got three good ones within a 5-8 mile radius, and then there are three that are really top-notch.
I'm in a pretty good spot in the Detroit metro area. We've got the usual big-box stores like Petco and PetSmart, but what's great is that there are also some solid local fish stores nearby. I've got three good ones within a 5-8 mile radius, and then there are three that are really top-notch.
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
In the Twin Cities, we're fortunate to have a diverse range of fish stores. While big box stores have certainly disrupted the market, taking a chunk of the equipment and supply business from independents, mail order shops have had a similar impact. Perhaps due to our long winters, the hobby remains extremely popular here.
Over the years, we've seen some mom-and-pop operations close, but others have managed to thrive for 25+ years. Stores like World of Pets, Aqualand, and Sea Level have carved out their own niches. There are also two exceptionally high-quality shops that specialize in advanced fish.
One standout is Forest Lake Pets – the granddaddy of fish stores – boasting an impressive selection and unbeatable tank deals. Quality Aquatics is another notable mention, having opened just over two years ago and quickly gaining attention from the online community.
Our local fish club, the Minnesota Aquarium Society, plays a significant role in connecting hobbyists with retailers and manufacturers. As the second-oldest club in the country, their annual fish show is a highlight of the year.
In the Twin Cities, we're fortunate to have a diverse range of fish stores. While big box stores have certainly disrupted the market, taking a chunk of the equipment and supply business from independents, mail order shops have had a similar impact. Perhaps due to our long winters, the hobby remains extremely popular here.
Over the years, we've seen some mom-and-pop operations close, but others have managed to thrive for 25+ years. Stores like World of Pets, Aqualand, and Sea Level have carved out their own niches. There are also two exceptionally high-quality shops that specialize in advanced fish.
One standout is Forest Lake Pets – the granddaddy of fish stores – boasting an impressive selection and unbeatable tank deals. Quality Aquatics is another notable mention, having opened just over two years ago and quickly gaining attention from the online community.
Our local fish club, the Minnesota Aquarium Society, plays a significant role in connecting hobbyists with retailers and manufacturers. As the second-oldest club in the country, their annual fish show is a highlight of the year.
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
I'm based in a relatively small market, with a handful of cities and towns in our valley area, totaling around 250,000 people - the largest being about 100,000. We've got the usual suspects - Petco and Petsmart - serving as our primary fish sources. It's been a couple of years since the one saltwater store in the area packed up and moved to Portland. Before that, we lost our go-to LFS when the owner retired. Now, I've got a few connections - a local guy I sell fish to, and another guy about 75 miles away who occasionally comes over the mountain to check out what I've got. As for me, I source from Kenny, Al, Jehmco, and Amazon - it's not ideal, but it works.
I'm based in a relatively small market, with a handful of cities and towns in our valley area, totaling around 250,000 people - the largest being about 100,000. We've got the usual suspects - Petco and Petsmart - serving as our primary fish sources. It's been a couple of years since the one saltwater store in the area packed up and moved to Portland. Before that, we lost our go-to LFS when the owner retired. Now, I've got a few connections - a local guy I sell fish to, and another guy about 75 miles away who occasionally comes over the mountain to check out what I've got. As for me, I source from Kenny, Al, Jehmco, and Amazon - it's not ideal, but it works.
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jellybelly - Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:22 am
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
I'm fortunate to have a great fish store about an hour away in Richland, WA. Living in rural Boardman, OR, options are limited, but we do have a Petsmart and Petco within an hour's drive. There's also a general pet store in Pendleton, OR, that's been around for a few years, offering decent fish and supplies. Unfortunately, there aren't any new pet or fish stores in the area. We do have a couple of dog and cat grooming places within a 30-mile radius, which is a plus.
I'm fortunate to have a great fish store about an hour away in Richland, WA. Living in rural Boardman, OR, options are limited, but we do have a Petsmart and Petco within an hour's drive. There's also a general pet store in Pendleton, OR, that's been around for a few years, offering decent fish and supplies. Unfortunately, there aren't any new pet or fish stores in the area. We do have a couple of dog and cat grooming places within a 30-mile radius, which is a plus.
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Two independent pet shops within 10 miles of me, both established for over two decades. One opened its doors in 1972, the other also started around the same time. A new pet store just opened 300 feet from my office last month, but unfortunately, it doesn't carry fish.
Two independent pet shops within 10 miles of me, both established for over two decades. One opened its doors in 1972, the other also started around the same time. A new pet store just opened 300 feet from my office last month, but unfortunately, it doesn't carry fish.
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
Re: Local Pet shop closed?
I'm pretty fortunate in Rocklin, CA - we've got a solid fish store with a huge variety of fish and an impressive Discus selection. Turns out, they're owned by Golden State Discus. I guess that explains the quality. We've also got Fish Depot in Roseville, which always seems to have a decent amount of Discus, but unfortunately, they rarely look healthy. Both stores are about 20 minutes from Sacramento, CA.
I'm pretty fortunate in Rocklin, CA - we've got a solid fish store with a huge variety of fish and an impressive Discus selection. Turns out, they're owned by Golden State Discus. I guess that explains the quality. We've also got Fish Depot in Roseville, which always seems to have a decent amount of Discus, but unfortunately, they rarely look healthy. Both stores are about 20 minutes from Sacramento, CA.
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