Another Store in Milwaukee Belly-Up

[C-Water]

Aqua Exhibits is closing it's doors this weekend. The new owner said they just couldn't make a go of it after acquiring it last year. They blame the economy. I'd say they didn't have a business plan (if any). Once you see a fish store (known as a fish store for decades) selling giant reptiles and not stocking aquarium creatures and supplies, it is doomed. I've seen it many times before, a hobbyist trying to get in the business, get "swamped", and the business quickly crashes.

AE started in 1972. It was one of the few store in the Milwaukee area that had saltwater. I can remember back in the 70's, Bob W. (the original owner) was getting saltwater shipments up to 3 times week.

Though AE wasn't the greatest for reef animals, the volume of fish made it a place to stop to visit and purchase an item at a reasonable price. I had purchased some very healthy, hard to get items with great success.

An aquarist icon in Milwaukee has ended. Rats.

 

[nait002]

Agreed. Also a big plasma screen TV on the front wall and a Cadillac Escalade will not sell fish either. Thats the first thing they did when the store was bought.

 

[prugs]

Thanks for the update.

It was an OK store for quite a while, with good prices. In my eyes the new owners did nothing to grow the business.

 

[aquadog11]

Are they having any good deals or are they shut down?
Would love to find A nano tank

 

[nait002]

Even if they went half price on one of their nano tanks it would still be twice as much as ordering online.

 

[nait002]

I think the last time I was there they has the coralife super skimmer for almost $300.

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12511486#post12511486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nait002
I think the last time I was there they has the coralife super skimmer for almost $300.

What? Do you expect them to give it away? :lol:

 

[Peter Eichler]

It was the place I went when I wanted to buy something close by when I first moved here. It was convenient and that was about the only good thing I could say about it. They regularly got fish and inverts that were doomed in an aquarium and even the ones that weren't were often sickly. Good riddance I say.

There really isn't a great store in Milwaukee and there hasn't been one since Hoffer's was in their first location. I've thought about opening a store for the last couple years. I know I could make it a great store since I have a lot of experience in the industry, but it would be a store to cater to serious reef aquarists first and foremost. I'm just not sure if the area and economy can support something like that. Aquatics Unlimited has managed to survive for a very long time despite their outrageous drygood prices, so maybe there is hope.

Ahhh, who am I kidding! I love this hobby too much to ever make it my job again.

 

[JRPhd]

Is that the place with the nurse sharks, green moray, etc.? Any ideas where those animals are going?

 

[ecl1pse]

the eel is for sale on craiglist he wants $350 obo the shark went to some guy in racine, wi all the tank are $5 from what i read in his ad any size. also the shop did not close down it just moved 3 blocks away. but honestly i don't see his store been a successful pet store he has big dream and and no knowledge of how to keep customers happy . plus his worker are all females with no knowledge of what a fish is or how to clean and what the price on items are how can u have someone like that? I think he just likes to look at them.(they are not that good looking either this is just my .02 cents)