Subsequent employees were hired for their fish knowledge as well as physical stoutness.

Since they were stocking food and at least the basic fish we were able to stop there more often as well as the other locals who did’nt want to drive 50 miles or so, the fish keeping hobby began to take off in our area.
About 3 years ago they hired a guy named Steve who had good experience and under his care the fish tanks were staying healthier, they started bringing in more exotic and expensive species, and the business has been going better. We would stop in about once a week and discuss fish and stuff, advise Steve who passed the advice on to others, and order fish through them instead of online.

one time I was swapping out a 55 gallon tank into a 90 gallon and Steve came over to help on his day off. We moved the tanks, (this guy is about 20 years younger than me and moving heavy stuff was half the job), the fish and substrate, set up the new filters and began cycling a fully populated aquarium! Lost no fish, by the way… For his help we gave him the 55 for his africans.

The feed store has now been purchased by one of the managers, another buddy who will help us as you described your buddy . They give Steve even more leaway in the fish dept. and it has grown so well they’re expanding! Now that my wife and I are into marine aquariums, learning as we go after 30+ years in freshwater, Steve has directed people who want freshwater aquarium set ups and fish and they, good fishkeepers all, are buying our stock as we switch to marine.

I volunteered to help with the moving, setting up and organization of the new fish department which will include saltwater fish and supplies, plus a reptile and bird section. We’ll get started either this spring or early summer, and bar-b-que at the end!