What's up with Sharkeys?? (Grayslake)

ITeach2Wheels · #1 11/22/2007, 10:43 PM

I don't know if anyone else is in the far north burbs but I am a little bummed. I started S/W a couple of months ago ans have been looking for shops locally. I just heard about Sharkeys on Tuesday night....after they closed. I signed up for the mailing list and the first thing I got was the notice of the closing sale starting Friday at 11 am.

Anybody know if they are closing/moving?

Anybody going tomorow? I am planning on being there as close to 11 as possible?

If you are interested, check the website: Sharkeysreef.com

I just hate to lose a LFS before I get to try them out

Swamp Donkey · #2 11/22/2007, 10:49 PM

I can't find anything about it on their site. I thought they were doing well in the shop....the site not so much.

ITeach2Wheels · #3 11/22/2007, 11:01 PM

I drove by the store on Wed on my way to Sho Tank and saw a notice stuck to the door. I hope they are just moving, they are real close to home.

444reefkeeper · #4 11/22/2007, 11:03 PM

There's another thread about how they are closing the store. I might try to get there around 11 as well.
Atleast Shotank is still around there.

lactose · #5 11/22/2007, 11:06 PM

The info is right on their home page now (after you click "local store")

ITeach2Wheels · #6 11/22/2007, 11:26 PM

The email I got said the same thing as the website. I was just looking for more info. I haven't been there yet. Everything I have is from ShoTank except for the tank....I forgot about him. OOPS!!

ostrow · #7 11/23/2007, 11:28 AM

Didn't they just open this year, built an enormous showroom? I've never been. Places come and go extremely fast in this business, especially in the Chicago area which is pretty well saturated with shops.

Gem Tang Rider · #8 11/23/2007, 12:22 PM

I heard they were moving to Geen Bay, Wisconsin.

They want to be on a winning team.

JPagliai · #9 11/23/2007, 12:33 PM

My friend and I are going there in a little while. If someone hasn't posted an update when I get back, I'll post something.

kawicivic · #10 11/23/2007, 12:48 PM

looking forward to the update... I was going to go but blew all my money on used equipment.

JPagliai · #11 11/23/2007, 03:24 PM

Well, can't say much more than what was on the site. They are closing for personal reasons and are hoping to open a new store someday soon. Honestly, as much as we would all like to know the details of the rapid decision, it's probably best that we don't. If you are on the mailing list, you'll be the first to know if/when a new location opens.

I was there for the past 2 hours or so and it was utter chaos!! The store was packed and you could barely move. My friend and I rolled up our sleeves to help a few customers because there was just too much for Anita and Debbie to handle. Things died down after 1:30 or so, and there were still some good deals waiting to be snatched up.

mm949 · #12 11/23/2007, 05:56 PM

wow....that stinks....its a tough business and wish them the best of luck....

craftytony · #13 11/23/2007, 06:00 PM

I went this morning and got a fire shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp, calcium test kit, and IC-GEL for 74 bucks

Great deals over there!

I wish them the best of luck in the future!

ostrow · #14 11/23/2007, 06:01 PM

So the online biz is shutting down too or just the store?

clopez · #15 11/23/2007, 06:03 PM

what time do they close tonight?

Gem Tang Rider · #16 11/23/2007, 07:05 PM

I heard the buzzards were swarming early. Let me know if the carcass is picked clean.

fast57 · #17 11/23/2007, 08:25 PM

still some stuff

444reefkeeper · #18 11/24/2007, 02:17 AM

I wish them the best of luck too. I left around 1:00. There was a few "hidden treasures" left. Got a 400 watt Reeflux 10K for $33.

GrandeGixxer · #19 11/24/2007, 09:36 AM

What do they have left as far as livestock? I am going to try to talk the wife into letting me go get some stuff tomorrow.

jcm1229 · #20 11/24/2007, 09:55 AM

Are they still accepting the "gift cards" from the buyers program?

ITeach2Wheels · #21 11/24/2007, 10:10 AM

I visited Sharkeys for the first time yesterday.....Now I am really bummed!! What a nice group of people. They took time to answer my "stupid" questions even though they were very busy and I couldn't buy much for my young 8 gal tank. I even met a couple of people from this site who took time to answer questions.

Thanks again, and Good Luck Sharkeys

fishkeeeper · #22 11/24/2007, 11:00 AM

does anyone know if their online operation is going out to i used to buy on there alot loved it never went to the store though but online they were great to deal with hope they continue that the way it was about a year ago

mksalt · #23 11/24/2007, 05:36 PM

Fish, Give them a call. They are still answering the phone.

JCM, I was there today. I know they are still accepting credit cards.

GrandeGixxer · #24 11/24/2007, 05:38 PM

Mk, is there anything left?

mksalt · #25 11/24/2007, 06:17 PM

I got there when they opened at 11:00 and left about a half hour later. There were only about 8 other people in the shop. At that point they still had quite a bit left. Some fish, live rock, quite a few coral and some odds and ends dry goods. I’m no expert, but everything seemed priced to move. I was only shopping for low light, low cost items.

I would give them a call. They seemed like very nice people. They even answered some of my basic questions with patience. I’m sure they would be glad to give you a run down on what’s still there. I think they will probably post something on their web site tonight.