Chicago Area Stores

P

Papajin

Premium Member
Been looking around for new stores to visit in my general area, and I've found it difficult to get any information about a few of the stores out there. If you have any further info about any of these stores, or would like to comment about what they carry, if they're good or bad, or whatever, please feel free! :)

Aquatica
708-633-7333
16649 S. Oak Park Ave.
Tinley Park, IL 60477

Are they still in business? I couldn't find a web page, or any real mention of them anywhere. Do they carry any marine or reef stuff?


A Splash of Life
630-443-7252
40W134 Campton Crossing Drive
Unit A
Corner of LaFox Rd. & Rt. 64
St. Charles, Illinois 60175

The main page of their website says something vague about tanks and equipment as well as the pond in front of the store being for sale. It sounds to me like a going out of business sale. Can anyone confirm if they're still alive and well?


Sea Escapes
847-695-9441
1950 Silver Glen Road
South Elgin, IL 60177

Their webpage doesn't seem to be functional. Are they still in business?


Aquacave
847-234-6044
715 Greenbriar Ln.
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Do these guys have a storefront, or are they mailorder only?


Fish Rac Inc.
847-392-3064
1512 N. Elmhurst Rd
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

Are these guys still in business? I read something about them being bought out by "King Coral", but that's all the info I could gather. Assuming they're around, what's the current name of the store, and do they carry saltwater/reef stuff?


Tropical World Pets
847-541-1190
802 South Buffalo Grove Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Are these guys still there? Was looking at their special page and it said the deals were good through Feb 2004. :)


Capture the Sea
708-444-7614
8010 171st St
Tinley Park, IL

I _think_ they're still around as they were mentioned in a recent thread. No webpage that I could find, though.


Pet Paradise
708-960-0333
2009 W. 63rd St.
Downers Grove, IL 60516

No webpage, but I saw occasional mention of them while searching. Are they still in business? I used to go there sometimes many years ago when I worked nearby, but haven't been by that area in a long time. I still have my "Lifetime VIP member" card though!


Tropi-Quatics Pet Centre
630-953-2696
337 S. Main
Lombard, IL 60148

No website, but I assume they're still in business as I see occcasional mentions of their name. Strangely, I have an old card from them that says their address is 426 S. Main instead of what's listed on the CMAS sponsors page.
 
Last edited:
Splash of life stopped doin' saltwater about 2 months ago.

Sho tank moved about 1/2 mile down the road.

I believe Aquacave is an ebay retailer that is mail order only.

Also, you seem to be missing Rod's Reef from that list among others.

I believe that there is a map of local stores on the CMAS page.
 
This wasn't intended to be a comprehensive list, just a list of stores I could't find any info on. Here's the Chicago Area LFS Map. I've added some missing stores to it, and will add some of the ones in my list that aren't on the map if they prove to still be in business.

Right you are on Sho Tank! I thought they just went out of business as I drive by their store occasionally, and it was gone from the old location for awhile. I didn't know they had moved! They even have a website:

http://www.shotankaquariums.com/
 
Oh, one more...

Oh, one more...

Sea Schor Saltwater Environments
1-888-300-0440
400 West Dundee Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

No webpage that I could find, but found this page . Sounds like they're more service oriented than retail. Anyone know if they have a regular walk-in store or what they do offer?
 
Another petstore that disppeared was Aqua zotics in Niles behind golf mill on Miwaukee? Did it go out of business?
 
Sea Schor does have a retail store. They seem to specialize in corals- particularily SPS, also a decent fish and drygoods selection. Their 400? gallon SPS system is amazing.
 
Not a fan of Sea Escaps... Not to rain on thier parade, however the owner is not a nice guy like some of the other LFS owners in the area
 
I believe Aqua zotics did go out of business. If you are talking about the place on Milwaukee north of Dempster. Yea, it is now a paint store...
 
sea schor is a nice place but they really dont have much fish at all. the nicest place ive been in the arlington heights area and all around my is coral paradise. he opened a year ago and his prices are great and he has a nice selection of sps, lps, and fish too. jim is the owner and really knows his stuff. his online store isn't as good as going into the actual store. just my 2 cents but this guy has the best prices and nicest coral.

coral paradise
 
I went on a small tour of some of the stores I'd never been to to see if they were any good. I went to Aquatic Reef, Exotic Aquatics, Oceans Floor, and Coral Paradise. I must say every single one of those stores had nice people in 'em, and livestock ranged from good to excellent! I was quite impressed overall.

I didn't buy anything as I'm working on a new tank right now and don't even have it plumbed or anything yet, but did pick up 2 160g buckets of IO salt from Coral Paradise for $35 each, which is an awesome price! I dunno if he's got it on sale right now or what, but if you need salt, might wanna jump on that. :)
 
Pet Paradise in Downer's Grove is still around. The place isn't much to look at but their livestock is pretty good all in all. Not a huge selection but pretty decent and healthy looking. I stop in every once in awhile.

I think it's gone through a couple of owners over they years so I don't know about your "VIP card":confused: Good Luck!
 
Robsee06-
What was Pet Paradise is now Deep Reef Aquatics. It was owned for a very long time by Sheila (and originally her husband but he died long ago). I think they started it. A few years ago she sold it to Jeff, who had been an employee and (I think) manager for a while. Sheila died shortly after that. She had been a long time CMAS supporter and a very good LFS owner.

I'm pretty sure Jeff is still a CMAS supporting dealer as he was always very supportive of CMAS. I've always liked this store as it direct imports fish and has had a different variety than many stores.

Store info:
Deep Reef Aquatics
2009 W. 63rd St.
Downers Grove, IL 60516 630-963-0373
www.deepreefaquatics.com

jim b
 
Was in Deep Reef for the first time in a long time today and was pretty disappointed by how everything looked...dead fish in a couple of tanks, not much color in the zoas or corals, but the clams were nice...prices seem pretty high also...
 
coral paradise always has good salt prices. reef crystals is 45 and io is 35. he has all around great prices and nice stuff
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8407880#post8407880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jski711
coral paradise always has good salt prices. reef crystals is 45 and io is 35. he has all around great prices and nice stuff
Click to expand...
Hello
No doubt, Jimmy's rock's rock!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Brian60077
🐠 store is irritating
Replies
5
Views
700
griss
griss
A
Fleece filter bypass problems (Innovitech X filter)
Replies
1
Views
493
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
mixedreeflife
Reefer 250 GEN1 leak proofing...
Replies
3
Views
1K
griss
griss
Tamara Marshall
Comprehensive Article About Bristle Worms- Manta Systems Article
Replies
0
Views
528
Tamara Marshall
Tamara Marshall
A
Clownfish Mating? Fighting?
Replies
2
Views
838
griss
griss
Back
Top