Big Al's Coming to Philly Area

[pingpong]

Big Al's is a Canadian company (I believe). There's many locations in Ontario and across Canada. They're the biggest fish store chain up here. Same as big Al's online. The prices in store are the same as online, at least at the Canadian locations. Their fish selection is pretty standard. Nothing too exotic but I believe they're franchised so selection varies from store to store.

You can click on a store location to see picture from inside the store. The fishrooms are usually separate from the rest of the store and dark inside. A different kinda atmosphere.
http://www.bigalscanada.com/storelocations/storemap.htm

 

[Stingingrays]

anyone know the approx date of opening? Usually if they break ground on building they set a date to be open by. Can't wait, perhaps MFK meet when it opens?

 

[wright4lfe]

why not build one in socal? jeez.

 

[vfc]

The store is using three existing (empty) stores in Northtowne Plaza (strip mall). So all that has to be done is the inside. I looked inside a small hole in the paper that is covering the windows, and I can see that they have plenty of work to do.

Got all the good stuff around it; Starbucks (3 stores down), Dairy Queen (two stores down), Dunkin Donuts (across the street); and the usual fast food places.

 

[Daro31]

Big Al's is a chain out of Canada, headquartered in Toronto. I have one near me here in London Ontario, and he is my go to guy for best selction of fish here. Stores seem to vary in size, cleaniness and inventory depending on the investment and interest of the of the franchisee.

 

[wangster11235]

any one have a USA store locator?
few days ago i was in norristown PA around 30min from philly and i saw a big bigals logo, or something that looked like the big als logo
it also said aquarium specialist next to the logo
i have yet to check it out, but i will soon

 

[wangster11235]

just reread the first post and it looks like we are talking about the same place
i hope it opens soon

 

[vfc]

Just drove by the store; looks like it may be opening soon. I saw ~ 12 trucks/vans parked in the back of the store (contractors I assume). They also had a tractor-trailor sized delivery of tanks sitting on the ground. I wanted to help them move the stack of 6ft tanks; I would even offer to store some of the biggest tanks at my house. Of course I would test them for leaks....

I peeked in the little hole in the paper on the front door, and saw many shelves built and stocked with stuff. I can't clearly see the fish room, so I don't know how far along they are.

 

[aquanaut]

 

[beex215]

philly!!