New lfs Coral Reef Imports
- Thread starter AntiSatan
- Start date
Fish N Coral
New member
What public aquarium is this? I must know!
Holyassasin
New member
You're in Tucson? I live in Nogales!
geemanaz
AZ FRAG Club Member
Mael
New member
odysea isnt opening until next december, but I could see a store opening in the area to get in on the people leaving there. They keep sending me invites for lifetime membership too.
The thing with the recollection of how many stores were on the west side and arent anymore is how much has changed since then. Between the 101/i10 area, westgate, peoria and surprise expanding and so forth it is almost black and white comparing demographic info from even 5-10 yrs ago to now.
That said I do realize those areas like arrowhead and westgate have quite a bit higher cost in rent/lease but you dont have to be in the middle of those areas, glendale but not arrowhead wouldnt be bad IMO, like the 67th ave corridor or around 99th ave. Right now all we can do is hope at least 1-2 more pop up.
The thing with the recollection of how many stores were on the west side and arent anymore is how much has changed since then. Between the 101/i10 area, westgate, peoria and surprise expanding and so forth it is almost black and white comparing demographic info from even 5-10 yrs ago to now.
That said I do realize those areas like arrowhead and westgate have quite a bit higher cost in rent/lease but you dont have to be in the middle of those areas, glendale but not arrowhead wouldnt be bad IMO, like the 67th ave corridor or around 99th ave. Right now all we can do is hope at least 1-2 more pop up.
Mael
New member
Some of the bidding by the subs is still going on afaik, a few know they are going to be there as they already told us what kind of equipment they will need to build the place, because of this I assume they will break ground shortly, in the next month or two for excavation and the dirt work at least before they start getting concrete in there.
saintsnsinners
New member
In whose garages? haha!
Lmao good one!(win)!! but I do have to disagree, I've personally only experienced that in three places, sun city, Scottsdale, and one in central phx! The one in central was really nice though with great prices & selection
The funny thing to think about as well, how many of the east valley stores were open 5 years ago? 10 years ago?
Aquarius was not, LE corals was not, shark reef no, southwest aquaculture nope, reef monsters nope... you can probably go on and list 90% of the stores that are open. Ocean Floor has been around forever but who else can really say they have been in the saltwater business for more than 5 years.
The relevance of west valley stores closing could be matched by how many have closed in the east valley.
I guess we won't know how successful a west side store can be until a quality store opens up in a decent location....
Aquarius was not, LE corals was not, shark reef no, southwest aquaculture nope, reef monsters nope... you can probably go on and list 90% of the stores that are open. Ocean Floor has been around forever but who else can really say they have been in the saltwater business for more than 5 years.
The relevance of west valley stores closing could be matched by how many have closed in the east valley.
I guess we won't know how successful a west side store can be until a quality store opens up in a decent location....
Fish N Coral
New member
Exactly. Driving 30+min to eastside and 30+min back I can't go often. It would be nice to have a place <10min away to check for new corals/livestock weekly.
saintsnsinners
New member
you bring up a lot of good points, and this is an interesting topic (at least to me it is.)
aquarium arts opened when, 2003? there are currently no other east valley stores that are even close to this. and i don't see aa closing any time soon (just a guess, no inside info or anything.)
my question is - how long will the other current east valley stores last? not counting the 'pet shops' that just have a saltwater section. which shops will have actual proven "longevity"? that's obviously a subjective term, but my non-scientific guesses are as follows.....
the aquarius - no
club reef - yes
reef monsters - no
aa - yes
southwest aquaculture - no
shark reef - no
coral reef imports - too soon to tell as it's not open yet.
what do you guys think?
Its a business that is hard to keep successful with over head fish and coral that die and online competition. With out a tank service business to help keep doors open most are due to fail. I have worked in 2 different stores several years back that went under. I would like them all to be successful but the more that open the less chances of them staying successful as there is only so many people buying their wares to around. Plus of the people that do try the hobby I would guess less than half last a year before they give up.
Mael
New member
True about the "mortality" rate of new reefers, some just find the maintenance and time consumption too much.
I think too much has changed in the last 5-10 years on both the west and east sides that we cant look back at how other stores have done for any kind of real data on how successful new ones will be. I would love to see at least one west side store open and see how it does in a good area. While Im not a big spender per say I would be there every week checkin on all new arrivals =)
I think too much has changed in the last 5-10 years on both the west and east sides that we cant look back at how other stores have done for any kind of real data on how successful new ones will be. I would love to see at least one west side store open and see how it does in a good area. While Im not a big spender per say I would be there every week checkin on all new arrivals =)
plantastic
New member
The biggest hurdle for any store, is the ability to attract and engage customers that aren't hobbyists. To be able to continually bring new people into the hobby, is where the capacity to pay the bills comes from.
Existing hobbyists, generally speaking, are going to be "cherry pickers". They have limited space to add things, and are very selective about it. The demographic that stores need to focus on, aren't on reef central. They don't use craigslist. And, they wouldn't shop in someone's garage.
It is a tough business, no doubt. As a store owner, or LFS employee, you have to love the animals, and the endeavor, more than money. That is the only thing that will replenish you day to day.
Existing hobbyists, generally speaking, are going to be "cherry pickers". They have limited space to add things, and are very selective about it. The demographic that stores need to focus on, aren't on reef central. They don't use craigslist. And, they wouldn't shop in someone's garage.
It is a tough business, no doubt. As a store owner, or LFS employee, you have to love the animals, and the endeavor, more than money. That is the only thing that will replenish you day to day.
saintsnsinners
New member
And that's why aa has been around for a long time, and why will continue to thrive compared to other stores. you don't see kingsley spamming craigslist or arguing with customers on Facebook.
