What's up with Boston?

[Hobbes1911]

I got a question about this city. Why are there no serious pet stores anywhere in the city limits? I mean skipton's was very nice, but they decided to leave to go to woburn. I'm not quite getting it. Is the aquarium scene in Boston so poor that no dedicated aquarium store can stay profitable here?

[h4n]

That's a good question haha

-Sent from my Samsung Note, a "Phablet"

[Hobbes1911]

Makes it especially hard to get a quick whatever if you don't have a car and petco is the only option.

[h4n]

ya maybe nobody ever thought on having one right in the city?
Its kind of a risky business, hit or miss thing.

[CrypticLifeStyle]

It is annoying for sure. Ned down in millis, UA in woburn, tropical isle framingham. Nothing in the immediate area. Aquarium scene is massive in mass especially in the boston area. Always wondered why myself.

[SBPyro]

Back in the late 80's to early 90's (I think), I remember getting into the hobby via Woolworths. The only two stores that I can really remember being decent in Cambridge were tropical fish & reptiles and what is now a petco across from the cambrigeside galleria.(Don't know if Skiptons was there at the time). I think between the high competition and high rent rate is why you don't see many decent stores in the City. Once you got out of the city you had tropic isle and pjs pet center.

[DrakeScree]

Sadly, the only option that is reachable from the T is Lovely Pets (which is an amazing store). Everything else is sub-par at best, and I don't like buying from them. I've been to, and disliked, The Pet Store, Petco in Leachmere, Big Fish Little Fish all the Chinatown stores, and a few places that should be pet stores, i.e., Fish and Bone, but are not pet stores at all. Its been miserable. Thank the heavens Lovely Pets is reachable by the T AND is a great shop.

[aluka]

lovely pets is awesome, but their stuff is sightly overpriced and selection is not that great =< its hit an miss there, sometimes you go in there is nice things, somethings there isn't.

[redpaulhus]

Rent is too high.
$10k (and up) per month for a small shop is usually a killer.
Rents outside the city are much lower.
Depending on where in town, theft is also a big issue.

[agangopa]

There is a little fish store, called aquatic treasures, that I visited recently. It is in Watertown, just across from the big bus station, at 35 Galen St. It is run by a guy who is really excited to talk about the hobby. I think he recently moved the store from Newton and in the process of setting up the store. He had a nice supply of freshwater fish, but not what I was looking for. Plan to go back there again.

[aluka]

post pictures!!

[Drewsplantednutz]

Ya PJs Pet center is what got me into the hobby. I wish it was still around, it was def the best around for fish, I cant remember if they had a plant selection but this was 10 years ago.

[SBPyro]

Originally Posted by agangopa

There is a little fish store, called aquatic treasures, that I visited recently. It is in Watertown, just across from the big bus station, at 35 Galen St. It is run by a guy who is really excited to talk about the hobby. I think he recently moved the store from Newton and in the process of setting up the store. He had a nice supply of freshwater fish, but not what I was looking for. Plan to go back there again.

I think I visited their Newton location, it was on the same road as the West Newton Armory. They looked like they were catering to the Chinese restaurant market, large koi etc.

Originally Posted by Drewsplantednutz

Ya PJs Pet center is what got me into the hobby. I wish it was still around, it was def the best around for fish, I cant remember if they had a plant selection but this was 10 years ago.

PJs had a small plant selection, from memory there were banana plants, hornwort, and some crypts.

[ThatGuyWithTheFish]

Originally Posted by redpaulhus

Rent is too high.
$10k (and up) per month for a small shop is usually a killer.
Rents outside the city are much lower.
Depending on where in town, theft is also a big issue.

This is what I've heard, too. We also need an ADA shop here.

[CrypticLifeStyle]

Originally Posted by agangopa

There is a little fish store, called aquatic treasures, that I visited recently. It is in Watertown, just across from the big bus station, at 35 Galen St. It is run by a guy who is really excited to talk about the hobby. I think he recently moved the store from Newton and in the process of setting up the store. He had a nice supply of freshwater fish, but not what I was looking for. Plan to go back there again.

Went by today, his name is Sheldon ( hope I spelt it right ) super nice guy, loves talking fish which is awesome, we probably talked a good hour. I love shops that do that which I've only experienced with rich at UA, and Sheldon at aquatic treasures. Really makes the experience that much better. Store is still being setup, prices were good, no sick or dead fish. Small plant section he's working on. Worth stopping by.