Ever thought about starting a fish store?

[Complexity]

But would you also have seafood on the menu?? Mwahahahaaa

No! No! A hundred times no!!

We wouldn't want the customers to think they were eating the fish that died in the tank from the fish store.

[Crude]

I'm in. Lets do it.

[aquabee]

YES. I like it. But would you also have seafood on the menu?? Mwahahahaaa

[Complexity]

Here's an idea... a joint venture with a cafe with aquariums and a fish store! Keep them separated enough to not let the messy side of the fish store detract from the cafe part, but keep it connected enough so that people who are interested in the fish while eating can stroll over to buy the stuff on the spot.

The cafe would provide the immediate cash flow while the aquariums and connected fish store would make it a unique place to go, separating it from other cafes and fish stores. The food can be simple (sandwiches, hamburgers) as long as the aquarium displays are outstanding and the fish store carries what the people want.

[aquabee]

Fish store? No, but I have thought of opening a cafe, calling it The Fish Bowl, and lining each wall with a wall length aquarium.

I'd go there!!

[BeefyG]

Fish store? No, but I have thought of opening a cafe, calling it The Fish Bowl, and lining each wall with a wall length aquarium.

[danielp]

I just now got this one... I was thinking of the disease at first.

Yeah it sounds better than saying "Ichtyologist".

Most people won't get it though.

[TonyO]

I'd call it 'The Age of Aquaria'

I've done some serious research into this over the years. The initial investment is high...loading the store with enough diverse species to pull in a large variety of customers. Then there's the equipment; Tanks, racks, filtration, lighting, etc. For a mom and pop shop, the hours can be endless between sales, cleaning, inventory, stocking, etc.

Hiring employees who know what they're doing are great to have, but those knowledgable people will demand more money than your average person.

I'd have as many different species as possible, including the bread and butter livebearers and tetras. I'd also have to have reptiles and birds.

Mark

Honestly, I'd work some weekends for someone like you or Tim for a lower wage. . . if you'd have me.

Also, while I'd want to do New World, I know I'd end up adding some of the others. . . I love gouramis and Synodontis too much to keep them out.

[aquabee]

Maybe we should start a coin jar for an HFB LFS! I have some quarters I could add. )

And Mark, you might run into copyright issues with aquahobby.com for "The Age of Aquaria", although I really like the name! :) Mine would be called Piscis.

[wesleydnunder]

I'd call it 'The Age of Aquaria'

I've done some serious research into this over the years. The initial investment is high...loading the store with enough diverse species to pull in a large variety of customers. Then there's the equipment; Tanks, racks, filtration, lighting, etc. For a mom and pop shop, the hours can be endless between sales, cleaning, inventory, stocking, etc.

Hiring employees who know what they're doing are great to have, but those knowledgable people will demand more money than your average person.

I'd have as many different species as possible, including the bread and butter livebearers and tetras. I'd also have to have reptiles and birds.

Mark

[cichlidomaha]

I know this is a Houston Thread, and I live in the Midwest. But this would be my shops name.
African Cichlid Haven

Tom

[eklikewhoa]

You have a good start tim, few more racks and that room would put most lfs to shame.

[armthehomeless]

The Ich stop

I just now got this one... I was thinking of the disease at first.

[armthehomeless]

This is, of course, a terrible time to open any new business; however, if you ever did open a LFS, I believe you have your feet planted on the ground firmly enough to pull it off.

What alternatives are you considering if you don't mind sharing?

Thank you . . . I think of myself as a relatively grounded individual. It is that grounding that makes me hesitant about opening a store.

I'm thinking about alternatives with less financial risk . . .

[danielp]

I think with the poorly educated customers and those that are just not willing to learn would kill off the majority of sales when it comes to the nicer stock which would be the main point of it all.

Then imagine the disgruntle ones after they shell out all the money just to have them die.next thing you know you're a "bread & butter" LFS trying to survive

Great point to an extent.

In Houston as proven by this forum and tons of advanced hobbyist who don't post I think it can survive. Yes there will be exceptions. I know my limits and I won't tackle trophs. One day I would like to do a petro tank. Most tangs, malawai's and S/A's are hearty fish that can withstand a moderatly knowleadgable person.

Look at how Fish Gallery has their stock set up. It's a great model that has worked for years. Look at how City Pets has their hardware side set up same thing.

I think another key is being able to special order for a person that want's that oddball fish and is willing to buy a box full.