PetCo Magnet Stores

[Thalasstronaut]

So I only recently learned of this concept.

I was speaking to a PetCo employee recently, at one of the stores closer to me (still about 1.5 hours away) and I commented about their fish selection being impressive. The employee told me that since they were a “magnet” store, they had access to livestock that other PetCos didn’t. On top of that, their saltwater section was bigger than what you usually see in their stores. Usually it’s like two columns of tanks, but this one had maybe four? The saltwater was almost proportional to the freshwater, it was a nice change of pace.

I did some digging online, and found a list on another forum (which I’m not sure if I can link here, but it’s a pretty easily found google search result) that purported to list all of the PetCo magnet stores in the US. However, the list is from March of 2013, and I don’t know how current it is. A few weeks ago, I made a point to stop in another one of the PetCos on that list and it didn’t seem any different from your standard layout. Definitely nothing outside of the typical clown and damsel stocking.

It seems like somewhat hidden knowledge, PetCo doesn’t advertise even the existence of such stores, let alone their locations.

So is there a source for such information, which PetCos are worth a specific trip to? I’m personally interested in ones throughout New England, but I’m sure a current comprehensive list would be valuable to any hobbyist. I don’t know if employees are instructed not to share that information. The one I spoke to either didn’t know or was playing dumb about other stores.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Such intrigue! Like being on double-secret probation. Lol.

 

[WvAquatics]

Interesting I will have to look into this. With Petco owning live aquaria they have the ability to supply stores with good supply of fish.

 

[Reefing102]

Interesting I will have to look into this. With Petco owning live aquaria they have the ability to supply stores with good supply of fish.

Petco sold LiveAquaria in 2020 - https://reefbuilders.com/2020/08/25...g-group-owned-by-tropical-fish-international/

 

[albano]

Brookfield Ct…4 or 5 salt systems and decent sized frag tank… old manager used to allow me to see weekly ordering lists, and order whatever I wanted, with no obligation to buy!
Plus Danbury Petco is only minutes away. (there are probably 10 Petco stores all less than 1 hour from my home)

 

[Thalasstronaut]

Brookfield Ct…4 or 5 salt systems and decent sized frag tank… old manager used to allow me to see weekly ordering lists, and order whatever I wanted, with no obligation to buy!
Plus Danbury Petco is only minutes away. (there are probably 10 Petco stores all less than 1 hour from my home)

Envious!

For my part, I will say that the Manchester NH PetCo is a magnet store. Good but inconsistent fish selection. Corals but nothing to write home about.

The Nashua NH location is listed on the list from the OP as a magnet and it didn’t seem like it when I was there. The saltwater section may have been slightly bigger than normal but there wasn’t much selection.

If you are in Danbury, have you been to Danbury Aquarium supply? It used to be run out of the back of a mechanic shop. Really fly by night but an awesome place to visit. The owner really has a passion for aquariums. He got me a deal on a new tank so I made the 3 hour drive to pick it up (seriously— even with the gas and everything I was still ahead by probably $300 from closer places.)

I believe they’ve relocated to a proper storefront now. I keep meaning to make another drive down to check it out and throw some business their way, I was that Impressed.

 

[albano]

If you are in Danbury, have you been to Danbury Aquarium supply? It used to be run out of the back of a mechanic shop. Really fly by night but an awesome place to visit. The owner really has a passion for aquariums. He got me a deal on a new tank so I made the 3 hour drive to pick it up (seriously— even with the gas and everything I was still ahead by probably $300 from closer places.)

I believe they’ve relocated to a proper storefront now. I keep meaning to make another drive down to check it out and throw some business their way, I was that Impressed.

Unless they moved this month, they are in a small shop behind the diner!
Only open 2 or 3 days a week, but now that you’ve reminded me, I’ll go there this week! I’ll show him your post!

 

[jon93]

I worked as an assistant manager for Petco back in 2017-2019. Everything that the employee told you is correct. The store has to demonstrate the demand for the fish. This is why it takes YEARS for many new stores to actually start getting in the uncommon fish.

 

[Thalasstronaut]

I worked as an assistant manager for Petco back in 2017-2019. Everything that the employee told you is correct. The store has to demonstrate the demand for the fish. This is why it takes YEARS for many new stores to actually start getting in the uncommon fish.

Are employees allowed to share a list of nearby magnet stores or is that frowned upon?

 

[Coral Memere]

Such intrigue! Like being on double-secret probation. Lol.

So few, these days, will get that reference!

 

[nicksreef2017]

So I only recently learned of this concept.

I was speaking to a PetCo employee recently, at one of the stores closer to me (still about 1.5 hours away) and I commented about their fish selection being impressive. The employee told me that since they were a “magnet” store, they had access to livestock that other PetCos didn’t. On top of that, their saltwater section was bigger than what you usually see in their stores. Usually it’s like two columns of tanks, but this one had maybe four? The saltwater was almost proportional to the freshwater, it was a nice change of pace.

I did some digging online, and found a list on another forum (which I’m not sure if I can link here, but it’s a pretty easily found google search result) that purported to list all of the PetCo magnet stores in the US. However, the list is from March of 2013, and I don’t know how current it is. A few weeks ago, I made a point to stop in another one of the PetCos on that list and it didn’t seem any different from your standard layout. Definitely nothing outside of the typical clown and damsel stocking.

It seems like somewhat hidden knowledge, PetCo doesn’t advertise even the existence of such stores, let alone their locations.

So is there a source for such information, which PetCos are worth a specific trip to? I’m personally interested in ones throughout New England, but I’m sure a current comprehensive list would be valuable to any hobbyist. I don’t know if employees are instructed not to share that information. The one I spoke to either didn’t know or was playing dumb about other stores.

Our petco in springhill fl is just as you speak of 15-20 tanks with saltwater fish and a 40gallon frag tank with anything from torch coral to zoas Duncan’s for $12 zoas for $25 monti for $30 only problem is everything and I mean everything has to be quarantined even the coral has to be in its own tank without fish for a month or two because it’s not a question of if, it’s a guarantee that you will get something in your tank and that’s something will not be something you want in your tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The Petco closest to me has a very small salt setup, but I did get a cute little LTA anemone at it about a week ago.

 

[Osprey223]

I used to work at petco. At magnet stores customers also have the ability to have any, in this case, aquatic life directly ordered for them to pick up in store. I’ve done this a handful of times at the Bloomington, Indiana location. Order comes in, the give me a call and I run and pick it up before they’re even taken out of the shipping bags.