Neglect Your Local Lfs At Your Peril

[Bazza57]

Our local paper today announced the closure of the only aquatic store in my city...
This is a real shame, as this store, while not being particularly speciallised or even that adventurous, is the last remaining store in the city. True, I could have supported it more, but it only stocked "bread & butter varieties" but guess what? Most people think these stores will be around for ever - sadly not the case - this one is making way for student accomodation, which is more profitable!
Thankfully there is another LFS in nearby Morecambe, granted more superior than the LFS in question, but over the last 20 yrs I have seen at least 3 aquatic stores in Lancaster close down, One run by a former livebearer specialist who really knew his stuff, also an aquatic plant retailers (before you ask, yes I did shop at both), the others just broad ranging aquatic stores.

I guess the point that I am making is - by all means seek out the specialised stores, but neglect your local LFS at your peril.

 

[nurglespuss]

Whereabouts in Lancaster are you? There's these:

My link
My link
My link
My link

I know what you mean, here in Mid Wales, I;m down to a petsathome and a garden centre...

 

[KISSfn]

There's no way to stop the conquest of Petsmart, Petco and Walmart here.

 

[Binge]

I am very lucky in columbus, there is a large reptile loving community here. most people with reptiles eventually start looking at fish (what else do ya do with extra aquariums your friend outgrew). We have like 4 or 5 reptile specialized(with fish) shops here. Because of the city being broken up into the various "townships" it is we have at least 5 pet smarts in a 15 min radius of me. 4 or so jacks aquariums.. also we have 2 petlands and a multitude of small mom and pop shops that happen to carry fish. We also have aquarium adventure which while over priced has a great plant selection ridiculous fish selection and a bi-annual 50% of anything in the store living sale. throw in active fish keeper clubs with auctions and swap meets and I can find almost anything here.
Not sure what I would do with no local stores although shopping does get tedius here since if I pass a fish store I have to at least look...

 

[KISSfn]

My present aquarium used to be the home of my 2 beautiful Leopard Geckos that I loved for 15 years!

 

[Liquid skills]

i do spend more money at my lfs instead of seapets but we do go there to buy other animal feed we got 4 by me i cant shop at them all lol

 

[Shovelman]

There's no way to stop the conquest of Petsmart, Petco and Walmart here.

ewewewewewewewewew. I hate all the chain stores except our one of 2 petsmarts where i live...the manager is OK with fish...

 

[Bazza57]

Whereabouts in Lancaster are you? There's these:

My link
My link
My link
My link

I know what you mean, here in Mid Wales, I;m down to a petsathome and a garden centre...

Ok, I may of overhyped it a little, but the closing LFS is on the 1st link: (Pearsons pets supplies)- the animal zone is more of an exotic reptile shop(my ex sold most of my tanks from my fish-house to them before I had the chance to collect them, so I'm not too keen on them, besides I don't want to buy a Gecko)the 3rd link is new to me, but worth checking out & finally the 4th link is all that remains of my old mates aquatic store - he is the one who specialised in livebearers.

I don't want to belittle these few remaining stores, even if they only stock goldfish & a few guppies & neons - I will have to support them to prevent further closures. Interestingly, you haven't included "Reef & River" which actually does stock a decent selection of fish. It's opening times are a bit erratic, but it's a really good shop. There is also a small pet shop in our Market, but alas the market is in danger of closing down too - our lovely economy to blame there.
Interestingly, we have 3 thriving foot spa's with their overcrowded tanks full of Garra Ruffa - sign of the times!