Living Sea Closing?!

[ostrow]

After over 20 years in business,
Sunday, August 23, 2015
was our last day of regular hours
We will be closed
Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday
WATCH FOR OUR NEXT EMAIL
INDICATING OUR FINAL SALE EVENT!

Thank you for over 20 years as loyal customers
We appreciate you all
We hope to see you one last time later this week.


Was never my favorite place. But this will be a loss of sorts.

Chicago just really lacks solid, good shops since Menard and Rod and a couple others closed.

 

[pscheel]

Yup. They were 50% off over the weekend and were taking reasonable offers. Sad to see it go after 20 years.

 

[beester15]

Wow!

 

[cet98]

yes...but not surprised unfortunately...
with all the "in-home" vendors popping up in Chicagoland and with the high prices they were asking, it seemed to be inevitable...
Not sure how anyone in this business can remain profitable even with a maintenance clientele to support it...there is just so many LFS/Maintenance options in this area to choose from....

 

[ostrow]

yes...but not surprised unfortunately...
with all the "in-home" vendors popping up in Chicagoland and with the high prices they were asking, it seemed to be inevitable...
Not sure how anyone in this business can remain profitable even with a maintenance clientele to support it...there is just so many LFS/Maintenance options in this area to choose from....

Well, their maintenance accounts were mostly high-end, high-price. Not like the hobbyist business accounts.

That said, I am not overly impressed with the lfs that remain, not that their livestock impressed. But if you needed a part fast, Living Sea normally had it (bulkheads, fittings, weird stuff) because of their large maintenance side. It was an institution, and I for one will miss it even though they weren't my favorite store by a longshot.

Repeating what I said below: IMO we lack top-flight shops around here.

 

[DopeCantWin]

We need who must not be named back. They were the best by a long shot.

 

[cet98]

Well, their maintenance accounts were mostly high-end, high-price. Not like the hobbyist business accounts.

That said, I am not overly impressed with the lfs that remain, not that their livestock impressed. But if you needed a part fast, Living Sea normally had it (bulkheads, fittings, weird stuff) because of their large maintenance side. It was an institution, and I for one will miss it even though they weren't my favorite store by a longshot.

Repeating what I said below: IMO we lack top-flight shops around here.

IMO, such a place does still exist, it's called ShoTank.....
yes it may be a hike for most, including myself, but Matt has a better than average livestock selection with better than fair pricing, clean and easily viewable tanks and a ton of used and uncommon parts available...
IMO this is a much better option than LS ever was other than it's proximity

 

[ostrow]

IMO, such a place does still exist, it's called ShoTank.....
yes it may be a hike for most, including myself, but Matt has a better than average livestock selection with better than fair pricing, clean and easily viewable tanks and a ton of used and uncommon parts available...
IMO this is a much better option than LS ever was other than it's proximity

Sho Tank is the best now, for sure. For all the reasons Craig said.

Wait. Did I just say that Craig said something that was right?

 

[cet98]

Sho Tank is the best now, for sure. For all the reasons Craig said.

Wait. Did I just say that Craig said something that was right?

 

[SkullV]

You guys have Aquatica, ShoTank, OLD TOWN AQUARIUM, and aquapros. Chicago is spoiled with good LFS. Out here we have one real full service LFS that is decent. The rest are all small storefronts that as basically showrooms for the garage fraggers. The club out here is great though!

 

[ostrow]

Eek. At least two of those are on my "not under any circumstances" list!

Anywho....

 

[DopeCantWin]

Eek. At least two of those are on my "not under any circumstances" list!

Anywho....

Same

 

[power boat jim]

Reefwise has a decent selection of coral at most times. I think in 15 years in this hobby I bought one piece of coral at Living sea. It never looked good. I did have very good luck with their fish though.

 

[skunkmere]

The End is Nigh!!!!

 

[cet98]

The End is Nigh!!!!

correction..... :lol:

 

[SkullV]

Eek. At least two of those are on my "not under any circumstances" list!

Anywho....

Same

Interesting, I won't as which ones, but why? Other than pricing at Aquatica and Old Town the other ones were great to me when I was in Chicago.

 

[mhurley]

Second on ReefWise.

 

[ostrow]

I was in there once Mike. Was non-plussed by the attitude of the one I assume was the owner. Approach reminded me of Schor....no posted prices, everyone treated differently.

But maybe worth another look....

 

[mhurley]

No posted prices?
I can only speak to my trips there in the last 8 months. Prices are written all along the rail of the frag tanks.
I don't know the owner but the couple guys that have helped me were fine.

 

[ostrow]

Good to hear!!