New LFS ?

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Just FYI,

After a Scuba Dive in Erie this past weekend on Saturday.. I stopped by ARC A Reef Creation on my way back through the area going home. After paying a visit for about an hour, I noticed another saltwater shoppe a minute right around the corner from ARC. Haven't been by there in awhile. But this place looked new to me. I never saw it before.

"Buffalo Coral Reef" salt water super store. 4652 Genesee street Cheektowaga 14225
A whole house done up like a business. Nothing but tanks inside.
Corals/fish/supplies.

By far, nothing as good as ARC yet. Looks as though it's just starting up?
But still very nice to see another one a minute away from ARC.
Now there's more than one stop in that area to drop in on.

Anyone else notice this, been in there yet?

 

[Eastamherstbias]

Yea two exact same business right next to each other.... Usually splits the customer base and bankrupts both, great business sense.

 

[byronsands]

Yea two exact same business right next to each other.... Usually splits the customer base and bankrupts both, great business sense.

idk, you usually find a half-a-dozen car dealerships next to each other and the symbiotic relationship seems to help all of them....

 

[Eastamherstbias]

But there is a limited customer base you are splitting. Everyone needs a car.

 

[NirvanaFan]

But there is a limited customer base you are splitting. Everyone needs a car.

So why do you see Burger King and McDonalds 1/4 mile from each other? People don't need hamburgers.

It's perfectly normal for similar businesses to set up shop near each other. Provided they don't get in a cycle of cutting the price of everything to always be the lowest, they'll likely be fine.

Caribbean Forest and The Reef Shoppe are about a mile from each other and seem to be doing fine. They've been like that for years.

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Randy (ARC) doesn't seem to mind either. Seems like he's friends with the guy or at least business associates. Looked like he was supplying the place with "some" stuff.

Personally, I think it's good for business sometimes. Why "fear" competition?
Sometimes it brings new business to both establishments. If you have to totally "fear", then your doing something wrong with your business.

Healthy competition is good or comparitives to each other. One place may alsways have something the other did not that time.. etc.. Each should still be able to survive.

 

[E_rock]

Mike is the guy that owns Buffalo Coral. He can really talk your ear off. (in a good way) Havent been in there in a few months so I am not sure what he has in there. I was there before he had his tanks set up, gave me a bunch of pointers. I would recommend stopping by.

 

[spinoleo]

is this the store their first post was new store opening under buffalo corals then moved on?

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Wow. I didn't expect to start a debate over cars/burgers- what a good business practice would be OR if someone had put a post up at one point that was not appreciated or against rules.

As a matter of fact now that you mentioned it, I do remember that post. Didn't connect it with this before.

The point was I happened to be curious if anyone else checked it out yet. I stopped in after seeing it at roadside shortly after leaving ARC. The guy seemed nice and it was cool to see there was another shop right there. I don't know the guy or the business at all. Just met him and saw his shop for the first time that Saturday.

 

[Dan49]

I have been there a few times ,I am not a big fan of price per polyp , and would like to see prices clearly marked. He is starting to build a better inventory.

 

[TomBONAIRE]

I've been in both and do not know either owners personally as well, and yes it is nice that you have a couple of places to check out in close proximity. Both have something to offer, and competition can only make each better. The Mickey D's - BK analogy is a good one. I agree with your assessment, DB6.

 

[PufferNut]

I actually stumbled on this shop right before it officially opened, I was driving by, saw the banner and stopped in. Mike gave me the full tour, back rooms and all. Really nice guy, but can sure keep a convo going Went back a few months later and got to see some livestock, bought a little paly assortment. Even that was last fall so he must be coming up on a one year anniversary.

 

[IronMan72]

I was in there a couple months back when he was still setting up tanks. Didn't have much livestock at the time. Extremely nice guy. I'll be back to check it out again.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

Eh, I really can't get behind putting another niche reef store within 100 feet of the original. It just feels wrong.

 

[SquidwardTentacles]

When I got back hard into the hobby a few months back and sold some stuff out of my 125 before setting up the nano, I asked the buyers about any new stores in the area. All told me about this "amazing place on Genesee." Of course, I saw the big colorful sign as I as I got in the general area and stopped in. I was pretty confused... It was OK but not what I would call amazing. I went to the cell phone and through the power of Google, figured it out. Whether you agree or disagree with the tactic, it worked to get me in there. I'd bet a TT I'm not the only one to do that. Now, we do often stop in before we go to ARC to look around.

 

[toddmh]

Eh, I really can't get behind putting another niche reef store within 100 feet of the original. It just feels wrong.

I'm in this camp,3 maybe 4 stores in the area that deal with coral and he has to plop his right on another..Pretty crappy imho,I'd buy online before going in there..

 

[Randy15]

I've been goin to ARC for a lil while when I feel the need to splurge and get something really nice. Randy is always nice and is fair with his prices on everything IMO/IME. But I def agree with squidward. It's no accident that shop showed up there. But in comparison between the 2 stores, let's just say ARC will be ok.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I'm in this camp,3 maybe 4 stores in the area that deal with coral and he has to plop his right on another..Pretty crappy imho,I'd buy online before going in there..

Yep, it is the principle of it. If it was in orchard park, I would take a look but putting up a store along with a big sign right on top of ARC irks the crap out of me. Even if they had a saltwater field of todds torches, I would never stop in. Ok rant over.

 

[Jacwil]

Caribbean Forest and The Reef Shoppe are about a mile from each other and seem to be doing fine. They've been like that for years.

 

[IronMan72]

Yep, it is the principle of it. If it was in orchard park, I would take a look but putting up a store along with a big sign right on top of ARC irks the crap out of me. Even if they had a saltwater field of todds torches, I would never stop in. Ok rant over.

At first I felt the same way you do. After going in and taking a look around I don't think Randy has anything to worry about. This new store can't compete with the coral that Randy specializes in.

I am certain that he picked this location because he knew people would see it before they saw ARC. I always thought ARC was in the worst location available, tucked in the back of a business park with no signage on Genesee. If the trailer is out there is no indication that a store even exists.

I support all of the SW stores in the area and have no loyalty to any of them. I support competition between business' as it ultimately benefits my wallet.