If you don’t know the store, check out my previous blog about them. They are located at 10015 E. Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231. After 58 years of business, 22 in the current location, the store has slowly faded away after the detrimental closings during Covid. There are many factors involved in this closing which are beyond my scope of knowledge, I am sure. Sam, who is the current owner, has not ordered fish for 6 months and supplies have been dwindling as well. He knew this day would come yet has held on for as long as possible. From what I was told the remaining fish have all found new homes and the equipment will too, though if you hurry there may be a deal to be had on whatever is left. Check to make sure they are open before going.
The Colorado Aquarium Society and its members have been coming here for years. Sam ordered their fish for them which they offered at their bi-annual auctions. He has been a good friend to CAS and will be missed. A new store has opened in the area, Ray’s Aquatics, and will be stepping in to fill this void. This new store is located close to where the CAS has their meetings, just east of I-25 off E. Yale Ave. I will be doing another blog on this store once they get more settled in. Click here to read a blog about Ray’s Aquatics.
It is always sad to see a well-established store close its doors, though this is a long time coming and will not surprise anyone who frequents this LFS. The LFS market has many owner/operators who are readying to retire and with the mounting financial pressures I suspect we will be seeing more stores either close or change hands in the coming years. All I can say is without aquarists' support, both novice and master, the Local Fish Store scene will be drastically changed in less than a decade.
Sequoia Elisabeth
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