This has been a trying year for LFS’s as things have gotten back to normal after the pandemic. Several stores have shut their doors permanently and a few others have done so temporarily. We have a new full service LFS in Engelwood, MC Aquatics, so not all the news is depressing. They have hit the floor running and I suspect they will be a go to store for each of us around the SW Denver Metro. I will be doing an update on them in the next few weeks. I have been awaiting the finishing of the saltwater section of their store. Last time I was in the store they had the tanks and just needed to finish setting them up. The monster tank in the rear of the retail desk will be epic once it gets in place and set up. For more on MC Aquatics see my previous blog. Another LFS which opened their doors recently is Keepin’ It Reef in Littleton. They specialize in saltwater corals and fish but have freshwater fish and plants too. They have expanded their hours now, so maybe it would be a good time to visit.
Ray’s Aquatics opened this year also and it seems they are gone already. Both their website and google says closed temporarily, but when I visited just today the store is mostly empty and has been for at least a week. Anthony does not return my inquiries about the store's status, so we will just have to wait and see. Todd’s Tropical Fish did largely the same thing earlier this year. They just faded away, till finally closing their doors in September. They had been in business for 58 years, 22 of those in their final location.
Another store in the SW side of Denver’s Metro closed its retail operation temporarily. The Fish Reef which got its start in the aquarium installation and maintenance side of the business opened their retail doors only a few short years ago. They have now reverted to I & M as well as custom tanks. They have an aquarium manufacturer they work with to make the tanks. They state the difficulty in finding reliable, knowledgeable staff as the main reason for closing the retail store. Post Covid, it seems this is the biggest issue for most retail stores. Not that this is anything new mind you. Anyone who has been in business knows these challenges are ongoing. With minimum wage in Denver going to $17.29 prices will no doubt be going up again.
Some of you may remember the LFS King of Aquariums in Lakewood and you will remember they closed their doors the end of June. Luke took over the Boulder LFS Exotic Aquatics and made some good changes but was called to duty. Exotic Aquatics changed hands twice more and just last month closed their door permanently. I write about all this in my various blogs over the past year, so help yourself if you wish to know the details.
Aquatic Dog is another store going through changes, though these are good ones. Greg and Sheila will be retiring and a new owner with lots of experience will be taking over next year. A blog on these details will be forthcoming as the changes occur. There are several stores around the state with owners nearing retirement, so the chance of stores closing or changing hands in 2023 is fairly high.
Our support is what keeps these stores open. LFS bring us unique and intriguing fish not found in the Box stores. It just makes sense to buy locally when you can. Ordering online has become more popular too in the last few years, so the options to find what you are looking for are many. In the coming year 2023 I plan on continuing my blogs on the LFS around Colorado keeping you up to date on where to go to find just what you are looking for.
Sequoia Elisabeth
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