The new "manager/owner" is JR. He isn't too bad, you really need to talk to him to get on good terms with him. He can get you items close to cost if he knows you and your a customer. But he is rarely ever around and kinda stays away when he is.
IMO RR was going down hill and has been going down hill way before JR took over. Seeing the same dusty old merchandise that has been on the wall for years at prices that were not competitive, is disappointing. I would go there 2x a week and when you see the same rotten dead anemone sitting in the same tank, or dead fish wedged in rocks twice 5 days apart thats unacceptable. Thats how bad RR was getting before tom had left.
Those who knew Tom and Jackie well knows they were going thru a lot and not intentionally it was reflecting in their business.
Right before Tom and Jackie left, there where more parties, and more sales due to JR taking over and trying to clear out some old merchandise. Empty shelfs are no good, there dont sell space or air. JR listens to what people want in stock, not just what the reps tell him to carry cause what good is all this merchandise that isn't in demand but is the latest and greatest. He has been managing RR for months now so its been a transition for some time.
The place is a lot more clean, not smoking pot in front of children, prices and quality are a lot better, tanks look cleaner than ever, and yes RR is going thru a big change but in reality the places has been going down for a while and it needs some TLC. I think once JR gets "settled" in the place will only get better.
Its unfortunate that the contaminated jug was sold and had such a negative impact on your system. I would definitely bring the jug to JR and let him smell it to show what was sold as food grade. He is not the person to allow that to happen (or at least thats what I get from him). He prides himself on quality and thats just unacceptable.
I kind have been avoiding LFS and leaning more towards local aquaculture for environmental reasons, but for the dry goods it is nice to look at items, compare, and evaluate before buying. Something that can not be done on the internet. LFS need our business to stay competitive and reasonable.
A Local fish store should be a placefor beginners, first timers, newbies can go and get all the knowledge they can handle, ask all the silly question in the world, A place to begin that has everything needed to start this hobby, a place to meet up, a place to see the livestock in person, to take the family, to have pride in the community WE NEED LFS's.
I hope Rockin Reef will only get better with time cause it is basically the bug that got me into this bitter sweet hobby! I would hate to see another LFS fail. Its bad for the hobby. Its bad for the community.
This is just how I see things, a non biased opinion and thats all.
