What the heck is going on?

Dr. Peter Venkman · Sep 26, 2025

Hey all, so did I miss something? Why are so many LFS' struggling? I live in southeast Michigan (USA) and the main store I used for supplies (Red Sea, frozen food, stuff like that) just closed shop. Owner told me that after 38 years he could no longer pay the bills. I just contacted another shop that I know carried these products in the past, however they told me they no longer carry these higher grade products and the stuff they do carry is not good. I contacted a third store, that I used to buy SWF from back in the day, and they told me they only deal with FWF now. What happened? Are the online reefing stores simply too powerful, or is the SW hobby dying?

FUNGI · Sep 26, 2025

Amazon, Ali, etc.com

Uncle99 · Sep 26, 2025

Maybe just a regional thing?

On-line stuff is hit or miss. Transportation takes a huge toll on survival rates.

I live just north of you and none of ours are struggling. In fact, they are very busy. Hobby has grown here by leaps and bounds during and post Covid.

And stuff is at an all time high price.

We have 10 big box types and 5 saltwater specialist.

ColorMeGone · Sep 26, 2025

I wouldn't own a coral store in these times with High Rents/Utilities/insurance's. Now maybe if you have it on your property then you could/should be able to compete with online corals/inverts sales or you already are.

painter1982 · Sep 26, 2025

The internet did it. We don’t have a lfs within 200 miles. I use BRS, it’s here within 2 days. Even when we did have a lfs they only carried lower end stuff because the nearest distributors carried it. In the 1990,s I could buy excellent Walt smith rock or apitaisa encrusted “live” rock. That’s a no brainer. The lfs wasn’t good for much when their prices were 2 to 3x higher than dr fosters.

Dr. Peter Venkman · Sep 26, 2025

Uncle99 said:
Maybe just a regional thing?

On-line stuff is hit or miss. Transportation takes a huge toll on survival rates.

I live just north of you and none of ours are struggling. In fact, they are very busy. Hobby has grown here by leaps and bounds during and post Covid.

And stuff is at an all time high price.

We have 10 big box types and 5 saltwater specialist.

Where are you at and what are some of the stores near you? I'm in Macomb and I would be willing to drive a hour-or-so for quality products