The Asheville Aquarium Opening

[DGSTRACK]

Hello All,

We've been working on opening the store as feverishly as we can, and I just wanted to post an update to give you a status. We resolved a few major problems related to leaking filtration systems, and had to make some minor last minute design changes to the systems, but we're finally on the home stretch. We're looking at opening on March 21. Some items (like frozen food) will arrive hopefully before the end of the month.

Due to filtration module failures, we had to use parts from our invert system's filter to replace defective parts on the other two systems, so our invert system won't be on-line until we get some replacement modules from the manufacturer. Hopefully that won't take too long!) Our freshwater and saltwater fish systems will be on-line and should have a nice selection to choose from.

Even if the store isn't 100% the way we want it, at least you will be able to come in and check us out! We're looking forward to seeing you all!

Thanks,

Dave

[CaseyD]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the update. I can't wait to check it out when you open.
I saw the write up in the Business Journal and think it sounds great.

Take care,
Casey

[kestrel]

I'm looking forward to your opening. Can you give us more specific directions and maybe a photo of the store-front?

Thanks
Daryl

[DGSTRACK]

Hi Daryl,

The store is located on the West side of Asheville just off of Patton Avenue. Coming west of the city, if you take a right at Regent Park Blvd, you will see the Denny's and the Japanese restaurant across the street. We're in the strip directly across from the Japanese restaurant and behind Denny's. We have a big blue and white sign that's as big as we were allowed to make it. So you won't miss us.

Hope this helps!

(Sorry, I don't have a good pic of the storefront yet)

I'll have more details on our progress in the next day or so.

Dave

[DGSTRACK]

Hello All,

We received our dry goods stock today, and have been checking everything in. We should be ready to place our fish orders later this week for delivery mid-late next week. We had an injury last night, and Belinda needed emergency care... Despite that, we still plan to be open the afternoon of the 21st, even though the fish won't be there and our display tank may not be on-line. We'll at least have free coffee and give anyone that wants to see it the grand tour. And, of course, we'll have plenty of products for you to check out!

We're planning some immediate promotions, and we're planning on our grand opening sometime around mid-April. And, as I had mentioned previously, we're also looking forward to hosting the next Asheville Reef Club meeting (I know at least some of you are waiting on us if you haven't already lost hope!)

On a different note, if anyone knows anybody who might be looking for P/T to F/T work that has some experience in the hobby, I'd love to chat with them! Have them email me at david_strack@ashevilleaquarium.com or call me at 770 361-2258 (my cell, and yes it's still an Atlanta number) since we're not always at the store.

We're also puting together a mailing list (snail mail or email) to advise of our promotion and sale schedules.

Looking forward to seeing all of you soon,

Dave

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by DGSTRACK

The store is located on the West side of Asheville just off of Patton Avenue. Coming west of the city, if you take a right at Regent Park Blvd, you will see the Denny's and the Japanese restaurant across the street. We're in the strip directly across from the Japanese restaurant and behind Denny's. We have a big blue and white sign that's as big as we were allowed to make it. So you won't miss us.

Dave, could you post an addy with zip code so those of us that anen't that familiar with the local landmarks will be able to find our way in?


TIA! and congrats on the new store!

[DGSTRACK]

I don't know what's the matter with me... Sorry! I honestly wasn't thinking about outside of Asheville, much less ouside of NC!

We're located at 5 Regent Park Blvd, Suite 106, Asheville NC 28806. Phone is 828 350-0992. We also have a website, www.ashevilleaquarium.com, which is currently just a filler page. Eventually it will have info about our store, products we carry, and our promotion schedules.

Thanks!

Dave

[DGSTRACK]

Another quick update: It's looking more like we're going to be opening on Wednesday the 23rd. We have our final inspection (from the city) on Monday, and to be honest... There's still a lot to do!

So Wednesday it is!

Thanks for all of your patience!

Dave

[atzak]

Hi Dave,
what are your hours going to be?

Steve

[DGSTRACK]

Well, We're going to finally be open starting tomorrow.

We have both salt and fresh fish stocked, although I would reccommend not buying any for a few days . The store is still not 100% "finished", and we still have a few things to do like put prices on the items, etc. We don't even have the computer up and running yet, but we will be open!

Hours: Monday we'll be closed. Tuesday through Friday: 11am-7pm, Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm. Store phone: (828) 350-0992.

Also, I wanted to open the discussion about hosting the reef club meeting. Give me some ideas on some dates and times, and Belinda and I will get together on some in-store deals, etc.

Hope to see you all soon.

[atzak]

it seemed there was some interest in the club from some people out of town, so maybe the next meeting should be on a saturday or sunday so they could make it.

[tdwyatt]

Definitely helpful for those of us more than an hours or so from Asheville. At least a weekend is a 50:50 chance of being off if you work every other weekend.

[kestrel]

I stopped by the Asheville Aquarium this afternoon. It looks like Dave has gotten off to a great start. It's head and sholders above anything else in the area. His prices are looking good, too.

His stock is thin, since he just got started, but they look like very healthy fish. He had some freshwater fish that were being treated. That's one thing I look for in a new store - are they concerned enough about the fish to try to make sure they are healthy. Dave gets an "A" there.

I'm looking forward to him getting fully stocked and also getting the monster showtank up and running.

Daryl

[koiangels30]

Hello Everybody-

Just thought that some of you that haven't visited us yet might want to see a couple pictures of the store.

I put up a temporary site with some info here ->

http://www.tropicalangels.net/aa.html

Hope to see you soon,
Josh

[DGSTRACK]

Hello all,

I hope everyone had a happy Easter!

I just thought I would take a couple moments and update everyone on how things are going with the store.

We opened for business this past Wednesday and have seen quite a few people stop by to see us. Seems like most everyone liked what they saw. We started selling fish late Friday, after we were sure they survived Tuesday's shipment and were eating. We had a few losses (DOAs and others) that are obviously risks with any shipment, but we had a decent selection to look at.

I'm planning a new order on Monday for arrival on Tuesday or Wednesday. Again, a smaller order (50 or so fish) but a nice variety of the staples and a few you don't always see around here.

Be sure to come in and get some coffee and check out the new arrivals!

Dave Strack
The Asheville Aquarium, Inc.