opening your own LFS?

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Tong's is still around (if that is who you were referring to). They have a good supply of everything and quite a few tanks. However, their livestock is of dubious quality, in my opinion. I only go there when I am in desperate need of something (food, part, etc).

I think tis was on Brookhurst with stater bros, all the way to South end of property. Tongs, I know. Seaside 40years same location

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

This could also be called "How to turn a big pile of Money into a very small one"
Having been around the hobby for what seems like forever, I can say that all LFS owners are hobbiests 1st and business owners second. If they aren't, they don't last.
LFS are not a place to make tons of money. Most owners scrape by. The issue nowadays is that what what once was the bread and butter of the LFS, dry goods, now can be purchased oftentimes cheaper on line.
Not to dissuade you, but... Livestock is an even tougher sell. You have to pick/source good fish and inverts and be able to house them until they sell. More often than not, people want the cheapest fish/coral they can find and have little loyalty to whatever store is closest.
It's a tough business. Most successful stores supplement their actual sales with service contracts and installs. Unless you have the knowledge and wherewithall to suffer through that, I would suggest sitting on that nest egg for a bit longer.
If... You are determined, talk to whatever store owner you trust and see what his/her take might be.

I agree about the online thing however I disagree you can’t make money with an LFS. Just like homes location is everything. In my Area there is two very sucessful lfs each with more than 5 employees and a very impressive selection of coral and fish. Dry goods are limited however most likely due to online. If the area has demand its possible. One of them is currently expanding due to demand and neither are cheap put hobbyists are willing to pay extra for a quality product. They always have the rarest of fish and coral and don’t do any “supplements” or online sales. It is definetley not the most profitable buisness but they sure do make a good amount around here.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

I am most certainly not determined. It was a thought since there aren't any in the area. But you mentioning the online presence, I can see how dry goods are simply not profitable. This leaves fish and coral only. Though, there is plenty of an online presence to drive that market away from a brick and mortar store as well..

If there is not any in your area most likely its because there is not enough demand.

 

[bblumberg]

I think there will always be a market for a good LFS. Buying corals online seems to work for me but ordering fish has been hit or miss... mostly miss. I like to look at the fish see its mannerisms and then have them feed it before my eyes before buying it.

I agree. There is nothing like walking through a clean, well-stocked LFS to get someone interested in the hobby. When I was a kid, we often walked around a nearby LFS and dreamed about beautiful display tanks. That is what got me hooked on this hobby and I am still at it more than 50 years later. A good LFS that sells quality fish is much better than an inexpensive on line source. I do buy a fair amount of fish online, but this is mostly because I don't see good ones locally. I can't tell you how many butterflies (Klein's, Copperband) I got at LFS that all died...

 

[bblumberg]

I think tis was on Brookhurst with stater bros, all the way to South end of property. Tongs, I know. Seaside 40years same location

I probably missed Tis then. I bought my first reef tank from a place out on Brookhurst called Pacific Reef or something like that. Gone now.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Tis, showroom was like being in a museum, like the Louvre museum, France

I probably missed Tis then. I bought my first reef tank from a place out on Brookhurst called Pacific Reef or something like that. Gone now.

Tis was so differ from typical LFS. I got into reef keeping 1983, because of them, Miss them.

 

[lzrlvr]

Hi I read practical fishkeeping magazine now and then and it seems that the U.K. has a much better selection of fresh and marine aquarium shops than the U.S. so unfortunately online retailers may be the ultimate option good bye Davey Jones locker or you just have to drive 100 miles or more to find a decent shop maybe yes absolute coral one of my local crap shops sucks they can shove the blue light regime what are you hiding all your ailing corals hey sometimes I can a better selection of corals at the local petco

 

[ndrwater]

@ndrwater, I see you are in Anaheim. I'm curious where you go down there. I remember 'Tis in Fountain Valley and Aquarium Stock in LA. I'm curious what are the good stores in the area these days.

Okay..really gonna date myself here... SOME of you may remember these stores..
There was the already mentioned Tis. Long gone, but still remember seeing my first Asfur Angel there. Tis was the place to go for the rare and expensive fish.
There was Wooten's. Where I worked. Was a place for exotics on the freshwater side, with a good sized Marine section. There was also a 7' alagator in the back.. Wally was his name.. oh the stories I could tell..
Wooten's was bought out while I worked there, and the name was changed to "Strictly Fish" The owners were 3 brothers and their dad. The old man was an importer and collector of African Cichlids. Had a great African section.
Soon after the buyout, we shifted gears and focused on the Marine side of things. We did reefs when NOBODY else did.. Sadly, that store is gone too. Thanks House of Mouse:-! There IS still a Strictly Fish owned by the same family still going strong in Lakewood. Not nearly as big as the old store though.
As for where I personally go nowadays, Amazing Aquariums and Reefs. A shop highlited on Jake Adams ReefBuilders.
Seaside in HB.
Tongs in FV (Only if I have to)
Reef Lounge which is 5 minutes from my house.
2 Guys Corals, also 5 mins away
Reef Raft USA is also 5 mins away.
And last, but not least, a place called The Reef. It's in Anaheim as well. One if those places that is just like it was 35 years ago... Tons of dry goods, lots of live and frozed foods, plenty of freshwater fish and plants, plus...... A sometimes surprisingly good Coral selection... If you know what your looking at, great prices can be had on really nice pieces. This is also my once a week go to for live Blackworms. Those of you have met me, know I swear by them...
Okay... I officially feel old now..