pet store

[wagnutz69]

I was wondering if anybody here has a pet/fish store? My brother, a fellow hobbyist of several types of pets, is thinking of opening an average size store here in town, and was wondering how much start up capital he would need to do fish as well as small animals. Not including the lease payment or other bills, but perhaps the amount he would need to get some decent tanks, filtration, and first shipments of fish/live rock/etc. He has money saved up and is thinking of gettin a small business loan. If anybody has a store feel free to add as much input as you could. Thanks

WAGZ

[Alice]

Boy, there's an awful lot of variables there, I would think

No idea on start up costs and I don't know if we've got anyone here that's started anything up recently.

I can tell you from personal observation of a couple of stores here that just opened or had major remodeling done. The stores look great but the stock level is pretty low. I think they spent too much money on the back ground and didn't have enough left over for the stock which will generate income.

Something for your brother to keep in mind.

~Alice

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Reefkeeping is my life; I can't afford a hobby too! My specs: www.thereeftank.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000029.html

[Reefkeeper]

hey... I really dont know solid figures, but I am looking in the same direction.... I manage a LFS and the person I work for doesnt know her butt from a hole in the ground.... anyway....

from talking to a couple of folks that I know, both who owned thier own stores, you are looking in the neiborhood of $100,000. this will start you a decent store, as long as you do LOTS of DIY, and dont go wild on the tech stuff. I would say that 150,000 would be better, but I am estimating for a 5,000 sq ft building, W/several large reefs, plus about 50 salt tanks. You could buy a fish system pre-made, but those will set you back about 30,000. and that is just for the mechanicals. then you have to put in gravel, water and livestock!

Gene

[Doug1]

Research and connections. Know the market and know the business. its not a casual undertaking, its a brutal competitive field and loving the hobby can soon turn into just another job. Its really kind of like the old"If you have to ask, you can't afford it"

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I dont advocate holding marine creatures for ransom but......since you asked
Doug, plank owner
http://hellreef.homestead.com/index.html
www.thereeftank.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000001.html

[FishDaddy]

WAGZ,
Starting any new business does require capital. Not just enough $$$ for setup and stock but enough to operate on until the cash begins to exceed the overhead. Thats basic to any business.
I think its great for anybody to do for a living what they love to do. Enjoying your work is one of the keys to success, especially in owner-operated enterprise.
One way to beat the high start up costs is to explore buying an existing business. You may have to pay for "good will" but usually you can get the equipment for a deeply discounted price and there will already be a customer base. This too, requires some serious research to make sure that the books are accurate, no tax liens, etc, and why is the owner really selling?
I wish your brother success.
Dick