Headie Corals Closing

Blitzie · Dec 30, 2016

I was at Headie Corals this evening and noticed that some of the tanks were empty and starting talking with the guys. They said they are closing prior to February 1st. They also will be going the on.ine sales route

Sad to see another brick and mortar store go away.

Mike_J · Dec 30, 2016

This is a shame to hear, but at least they are still in the hobby. Really nice guys.

sassAwrasse · Dec 30, 2016

That's too bad. Sorry to hear that.

Triggreef · Dec 31, 2016

That's 3 out in that area of ct now.

Bobs exotic is the only one left.

Masedaddy · Dec 31, 2016

Who is the third? TCR, Headie Corals and ???

Blitzie · Dec 31, 2016

Still have Blakes Aqua Den in that area.
Plus Colchester Pet and Shoreline Pet in different areas

GobyApparatus · Dec 31, 2016

Masedaddy said:
Who is the third? TCR, Headie Corals and ???

3rd he is referring to is Max Reef. Plus Something Fishy in RI is closing their retail location and focusing on installs & maintenance. I'll be honest business is tough. Online sales of coral and supplies has skyrocketed in the last year as well as the rise of basement stores. One would assume that these closures would create a boom for the stores remaining.... but it isn't. Been trying to figure out why online is booming. I still think it's better to pick out fish and coral in person. I don't think it's so much about pricing.... I think it's more about people like to shop at 11pm in their underwear. I recently started doing some live sales trying to make ends meet. Support your local fish store!
P.S. I don't care if you show up in your underwear.

Mike_J · Dec 31, 2016

Oh, wow. I didn't realize Max Reef too. I always thought CT had such a great selection of LFS's. Seems that is quickly changing.

GobyApparatus · Dec 31, 2016

Mike_J said:
Oh, wow. I didn't realize Max Reef too. I always thought CT had such a great selection of LFS's. Seems that is quickly changing.

I'm not sure what's going on w/ Max Reef exactly. What I've been told is that they're focusing on custom tanks and maintenance not selling coral and fish.

RWinfrey · Dec 31, 2016

Yeah it really stinks the average Joe doesn't realize all that goes into a brick and mortar store ... it's really a lot of thankless work ......

Vaiodude · Jan 1, 2017

It is very sad to see these brick and mortar stores closing up!

We need to support our local stores as much as we can or someday they won't be there.

hans1976 · Jan 2, 2017

Thinking of all the stores that have closed over the last few years:
Puppy Center - West Hartford
Realm Of Pets - Southington
Fin & Feather - Groton
Go Fish - Clinton/Westbrook
Traveling Sea's - Waterbury/Oakville
Fintastic - Rocky Hill then East Hartford

Awesome Dennis · Jan 3, 2017

I was at max reef over the weekend and they had some fish and coral but not the selection I was expecting. I'm not sure if it was because it was a holiday weekend and they haven't gotten a fresh shipment in or what but I was alittle disappointed. They did have a new dividing wall up to seperate the tanks area and their workshop area.

ctsps · Jan 3, 2017

Prob with ct is nobody gets high end corals or fish,you have to have a variety,me myself wont buy anything local except supplies

Maritimer · Jan 3, 2017

Have been checking out MaxReef's site from time to time (of course, one can never be _certain_ how up-to-date the stocklists there are), but it's basically told me "Yeah, we have a few fish in the shop, nothing special..."

Along with TCR closing, that makes me sad - MaxReef, I thought, had / has a _ton_ of potential to be a great shop ... if they'd just fill their tanks!

Have never been to Headie's, and had wanted to check them out once things have settled here, so that makes me sad as well.

The state of reef-shops in CT - at least in my neighborhood - seems to be "Few but Expensive". (And of course, if everyone's buying fish from LA/BZ/Wherever, just why _should_ the local shops bother to stock cool stuff that swims in circles in their tanks for weeks to months?)

~Bruce

recess62 · Jan 3, 2017

Also include the "coral reef" in Stratford. They closed their B&M store in November

GobyApparatus · Jan 3, 2017

ctsps said:
Prob with ct is nobody gets high end corals or fish,you have to have a variety,me myself wont buy anything local except supplies

Can you define high end? If you're talking about SPS I can understand that. No WD here but huge selection of LPS but most just buy $10-$40 frags. Not seeing much demand for the high end. Just sits around. But for fish generally around 100 different species stocked. A few Achilles tangs out the door in last month and another coming in tomorrow, Blotched Anthias sitting here for months, designer clowns etc . Prices generally below LA/BZ. Haven't visited other places recently besides Exotic in Milford and there's some great stuff there. I've heard Blake's new shop is nice. Please let us know what all the LFS can do to earn more of your business. Suggestions always appreciated. All of the LFS want happy customers and more of them. Anyone please post suggestions/feedback below. Without you the rest of the LFS crumble.

Maritimer · Jan 3, 2017

Gotta say, I _love_ the ability to shop at a LFS, especially for livestock. Is it healthy? Is it a good example of what it's supposed to look like? Is it bright and alert? Is it eating? What can the staffer there tell me about this individual (always keeping in mind, of course, that s/he'd really like to make a sale today . . . ) creature?

Buying livestock online means you trust them to send you the healthiest and prettiest - as opposed to the slowest one in the tank, with the cute little white dots on it and the bonus flukes, the one on the weight-loss program.

~Bruce