I have heard a rumor of a new tucson SW shop opening in early July and am excited.
I shopped at SWA and probably spent over $20,000 there before the changeover. I haven't been back since Mike left. Since then I have been shopping online. It's sooo addictive!! New inventory every few hours!!
Since the new ownership my observations are these:
They don't seem to get new corals in very often and those they do are boring.
I used to buy rod's reef there...I went in for a few weeks post changeover and they didn't have any. They kept saying they would soon! I noticed things (RC salt, food etc) that I would buy regularly there before the change, were no longer stocked.
The "coffee shop" atmosphere is gone. Before, i would chat about my dream corals, equipment, etc and get opinions from the staff about what I should buy, then order it. Now it's, "How may I help you?" not, "Check out this great thing I saw because I'm passionate about fishkeeping too!"
As many of you pointed out, you can buy more variety for less cost, AND QUICKER online. I used to shop at the LFS because I wanted to support a local store, and I LIKED them! If you want to run a store, you have to be personable imo.
I have great hopes for the new rumored shop and while I know it can't compete on prices or selection with online, I still feel like this is a small town and we need to support our local businesses.