Big Als is back

[outtafocus]

Im sure this isnt news to most of you, but Big Als is coming back to calgary.

Out front of PM hobbycraft on 32nd ave NE is a big sign for Big Als, now hiring.
I believe Big Als will be located in the store which used to be a golf store that had the roof collapse during the big rain storm, right next to PM Hobby.

This will be awesome, because I work part time in PM so break time means reef time.

Just letting the world know.

[digital-audiophile]

I'll believe it is open when I walk in the front doors :p I've been waiting since January for this joint to open.

I always liked Big Al's, but then again I liked it mainly becuase it was in the South.. this new location sucks for me.

[Delphinus]

Yeah, I was hoping you were gonna say they've finally opened their doors. Been hearing about the new location for close to a year now I think! Oh well, it will come when it comes, we'll just have to wait .. patiently or impatiently :)

[hillbillyreefer]

Great now I can feed two addictions in one stop. R/C and Reef, glad there isn't a sporting goods store in the same strip!!

[kwirky]

model cars, reef, and computers all in one strip mall :)

[Treebeard]

One stop shopping! All that's missing is a Rona. :biggrin:

model cars, reef, and computers all in one strip mall :)

[kari]

Don't forget the pizza (Coco Brook's)

[outtafocus]

Ive heard that memory express is moving out some time soon.

As for Big Als, I think they are getting close to being ready because PM has smelled like epoxy paint for well over a week now. My guess is this was for the tank area.

[marciemp]

Any news on the opening date yet?
Marcie

[danny zubot]

Great, another fish store in the north. Well so much for breaking the monopoly that Elite has down here.:wink:

[KennyKen]

can't forget about riverfront. lol

I actually went there today and they had some really nice fish. Doesnt look like they are going to much coral wise, but they also had some REALLY nice clams in.

[surgeonfish]

can't forget about riverfront. lol

I actually went there today and they had some really nice fish. Doesnt look like they are going to much coral wise, but they also had some REALLY nice clams in.

I assume by your post that they are actually open. What are their hours?

[KennyKen]

Riverfront is open, i dont think the big al's is yet.
Dont quote me on big al's though....:biggrin:

[JPeach]

Anyone know if Big Al's is open yet?

[michika]

Website still says nothing; http://www.bigalscanada.com/storelocations/Calgary/calgarymain.htm

[Robw]

The sign on 32 ave says "opening soon"

[danny zubot]

I was at Riverfront a couple of weeks ago just to check out the new salt area. They had some cool fish alright, but most of them, like 85% had ick. I also found their prices to be a bit high.

[ElGuappo]

the thing with riverfronts prices is they have a yearly club for 20$ AND IT GETS YOU 20% of all live and 10% off dry goods. little known fact that helps bring prices back to competitive. i was there yesterday getting rubble and they had some pretty cool triggers. not sure what kind(s).

[danny zubot]

Hey I just thought of something. When BA's actually comes back to Calgary, will they have all of our pints on record still? I had enough to buy a bucket of salt, but didn't cash them in before the last place closed.

[Brent F]

I was at Riverfront a couple of weeks ago just to check out the new salt area. They had some cool fish alright, but most of them, like 85% had ick. I also found their prices to be a bit high.

the thing with riverfronts prices is they have a yearly club for 20$ AND IT GETS YOU 20% of all live and 10% off dry goods. little known fact that helps bring prices back to competitive. i was there yesterday getting rubble and they had some pretty cool triggers. not sure what kind(s).

Why pay to get high prices for sick fish discounted? Get them from some place where they don't have ick.

[Pan]

Hmm, Imperial Aquariums is getting into saltwater...overheard the guys at golds saying that. Never been there so i have no idea what they are like.

[Snappy]

the thing with riverfronts prices is they have a yearly club for 20$ AND IT GETS YOU 20% of all live and 10% off dry goods. little known fact that helps bring prices back to competitive. i was there yesterday getting rubble and they had some pretty cool triggers. not sure what kind(s).
You sure like to promote this store, I hope they're giving you a kick back.:lol:

[danny zubot]

Where's Imperial aquariums? Let me guess, some where in the north?:lol:

[xtreme]

Just north of marlborough mall on 36 st. All freshwater though.

[ElGuappo]

You sure like to promote this store, I hope they're giving you a kick back.:lol:

i will promote any lfs if they treat me well enough. however i mostly just like to mention the fish and such i rarely see.

wayne is good me at riverfront so i do like to add any little tid bit i can.

not saying i buy all my ls at riverfront but i don not recieve the customer appreciation anywhere else. and having my business is appreciated is more important to me than saving acouple bucks. most other lfs's IMO dont really treat new costomers with the service ifell i deserve no matter how much money im there to spend. for instance i was at an lfs on 16 and was the only customer and i had a hard time geting the man working to get off the computer to help me out. not saying i wont go back but i may not be as willing buy as much from there.

I am a man of principal and that will take precidence over money anyday. (up to a point)

You wil however notice that i dont slam these LFS stores like others. i leave that up them them to form there own opinion. if pmd then yes i will say what store but until then i dont fell the need to rip on a store because of a bad experience.

[danny zubot]

I too have experienced that at certain stores, but I won't mention which ones. I usually end up walking out and not giving them my business.

I will give Big Al's one thing though, when you walked in there you were usually swarmed by sales reps fully willing to help you.:biggrin:

[Moogled]

I'm no mod but this thread is about to turn into another vendor review.

/Fail.

[Darth Wader]

Man, I cant believe another fish store in the north. I mean honestly who even goes into the north. haha. The only reason I go to the north is to go to ocean city and now I'm going to have to make another trip to the north to check out BA. I better rock my bullet proof vest when I head down there.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I better rock my bullet proof vest when I head down there.

Ha ha ha. Fo' realz, yo.

[BMW Rider]

I noticed they had an ad in the paper last week for staff, so must be getting close to opening. I'm hoping for some grand opening super deals :mrgreen:

[danny zubot]

Ya, deals are always good.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Has anyone actually worked at Big Al's? I am looking for a VERY part-time job to supplement a savings for a trip to South America :)

[KennyKen]

Nate worked there for a long time, i don't know if he is on here anymore.
He was the only real knowledgeable guy there that you could trust wouldn't steer you wrong

[kwirky]

Nate worked there for a long time, i don't know if he is on here anymore.
He was the only real knowledgeable guy there that you could trust wouldn't steer you wrong

he lurks the forums. he's out there ;)

[Tarolisol]

.

[Delphinus]

Really? Wow, that'll be something!!

[lorenz0]

Cool I am always in that area at a couple of car shops

umm and right beside coco's. I for sure will be living off of pizza

[surgeonfish]

They arnt going to be opening till around july, also interesting point, it is going to be one of the bigest aquaria stores in north america. Biggest Big Al's in canada. 2nd in NA im pretty sure.

How do you know this? Did a little birdy tell you?

[saltyrockbox]

I looked in the door window yesterday - WOW it's big and looks really nice, way bigger then the big als in Ontario, they had the tank lights up for one wall of tanks and a cool display in the far back. Probably for plants like the...like floor plan of their other stores. I Bet it will be open in the fall...

[Tarolisol]

.

[KennyKen]

Open Yet???

[xtreme]

Now their website says "Late Summer". Wasn't it supposed to be last December originally?

[levi1803]

I just looked about a week ago and it said late July :(

[MikeP]

At least they finally got the Big Al's sign up. They also had a help wanted sign if anyone's interested.

[Treebeard]

I would have to get a third job to pay for my part-time job working there.

They also had a help wanted sign if anyone's interested.

[michika]

I was just in Edmonton, and per Big Al's there they are about 4 weeks out from opening.

[digital-audiophile]

It's been a long time coming. I sure hope we are not dissapointed.

[Tyson]

I was just there last Saturday and they had a sign up that said opening in some time in AUG.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Its opening is reaching near mythical proportions. I wonder if Yeti will be there to greet us opening day?

[michika]

Its opening is reaching near mythical proportions. I wonder if Yeti will be there to greet us opening day?

Awe, just Yeti? I was hoping for the Lochness, or maybe Ogopogo!

[Lance]

See Here:


http://www.bigalscanada.com/storelocations/Calgary/calgarymain.htm

[michika]

I've been hearing and reading that same page for at least 7 months now

[Lance]

When it does open I hope you all get what you were waiting for. Apparently, it's supposed to be one h-ll of a big store.

[karazy]

well they do have alot to do. first the roof reparis, they probably caught some snags there, fully stocking all the dry goods, cyclying like probably 50 or more tanks, and i heard that they are making a very kool display tank

[Reef_Craze]

Big Als opens August 7th Baby! ya

[Finaddict]

who's in for camping out on the lawn to be first in line??//


just kidding...LOL
i know where i am going next thursday!!!!

FINally opening date.

[superduperwesman]

I hate how the title says it's back when u can't technically go yet... got me all excited and I still have to wait

[Reef_Craze]

i heard the main display tank is gonna be sick and ya Big Als web site said this store is the largest in Canada.

[karazy]

dude, thats pwnage!
i hope they have the skimmer i want

[Howdy]

I went into Big Al's today.Store is massive at over 3000 sq ft of retail space. It is still a far ways from ready and the shark tank is up but with no sharks as of yet. The saltwater stock they have is very nice and they are getting another shipment sometime today. There were some very nice open brain corals. I can't wait until the store is fully operational.

[parkinsn]

i was just in there and they had about 50-75 bags of fish and inverts floating waiting to go into tanks

[ImprezaSTi]

I went into Big Al's today.Store is massive at over 3000 sq ft of retail space. It is still a far ways from ready and the shark tank is up but with no sharks as of yet. The saltwater stock they have is very nice and they are getting another shipment sometime today. There were some very nice open brain corals. I can't wait until the store is fully operational.
The site says 13000 sq ft.

Went to check it out today, lots of selection. I think the saltwater section could have been better, and some of the $$$ was ?!@#%!?!??.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Huh? You mean it's expensive?

[ImprezaSTi]

Huh? You mean it's expensive?

Nah, we are not suppose to discuss about prices right? :wink:

[Der_Iron_Chef]

My bad :D

[i have crabs]

i thought the display tank would be more impressive,the guy told me its about 2700g wich sounds bigger than it looked so who knows,im hopin i can pawn off the 2foot grouper in my basement as the first resident in the tank.
as far as stock thier was tons of stuff some prices where good-average and a few things where way high i thought

[superduperwesman]

Some prices seemed a little high to me as well, and I wouldn't say there is "A lot" of livestock yet, but I thought the store was/will be very impressive

[kwirky]

for anyone who went in, did it seem like they're carrying more in the store than what's on the website for hardware/dry goods?

[Phanman]

there was quite abit of hardware/drygoods at a reasonable price.. There was alot of fish foods that I havnt seen or even heard about before. The bulk heads they carry are a really good deal too. Was a little dissapointed in the livestock thou.. but its new and they still have alot of tanks to fill.

We spoke to the manager and the grand opening will be in sept some time with deals to be had im sure.

[xtreme]

Ya there website doesn't seem to list very many products. I'd say they have more in-store than on the site. Mostly your basic Coralife products though. I didn't notice any "Higher end products" that I was hoping for.

[Reef_Craze]

I went today and i wasn't impressed with any of the coral, it all seemed very bland none of the coral stood out like at Oceans. I didn't see any inverts other than snails. I was quite disappointed.

[gbeef]

Was just there, it was ok.. there still setting up... but they have alot of fish. It will take time for there tanks to fill and the large tank to cycle. Theres just a bunch of cromis in there. There pricing is comparable to Wai's... I can't wait to see it the place in a month.

[Aquattro]

This is looking like vendor review, sorry, opinions on stores are not permitted.

[Delphinus]

Ah Brad you beat me to it. However I was going to put it thusly:

Achtung! Disch tschred ist not for gerfingerpoken der vendorish reviewen! Ist verboten! Neine klausen und der sprocket und vas ticken token! Stoppenze bedank!!

[christyf5]

Clean up in aisle 5! :mrgreen:

[michika]

Lol! Awesome!

[digital-audiophile]

I'm just glad it is finally open.. been waiting a long time.. I wonder if my Big Al's points are still any good?

I'm going to try to make it up there in the next few days to check it out.

[xtreme]

I still had over 4400 points!

Close to a $200 credit. Yay!

[digital-audiophile]

I just read this on their website :

V. EXPIRATION
A. Any Preferred Customer Account that has no purchases for a period longer than one year will be deemed inactive, and all points accumulated on that Account will be deleted.

I'll have to chat with them in store becuase if this is true it ****es me off a bit. If I recall I had almost 500 points myself and was unable to use them after the calgary store closed down.

[Treebeard]

I was in on the weekend and they had lots of empty tanks yet, so I am sure the selection will improve. I picked up a VIP card and started collecting points!

[xtreme]

I was reading that as well about the year of inactivity causing the account to be deleted. I was in the other day and gave my phone number and I was still on file with 4400 points and I haven't used it since they closed the Calgary store so maybe they held onto our points for us Calgarians?

[i have crabs]

my account didnt work, he said some accounts that had no barcode number couldnt be saved but most of them where.

[Ephraim]

yeah mine was deleted, but i figured as much. Hadnt been used for 7 years or so

[digital-audiophile]

I ended up skipping out of work early and went in this afternoon. My account was gone, oh well.. time to just collect more.

I was impressed with the size of the marine section. If they can keep it stocked it will be a decent place to go to. I liked the coral tank set up, low enough that you can get a top down look at the corals.

They really seemed to push to get the store open though.. most of the fish room was really only 75%?? complete.. frames exposed, stone finishes not installed, painting still being done.

I'm interested why they went with such a small "display tank" I really hope they don't try putting a shark in there.. I think guys here on Canreef have bigger tanks in their basements.

[Ephraim]

apparently they ARE going to try and fit some sharks in there...

[michika]

I heard that too. I made a stop in briefly but left pretty quick. Anyone know anything about the line of products they are carrying? Its something labs, or something in black bottles.

[i have crabs]

guy told me it was 2600g but i was guessin somewhere around 1000g by looks. i talked to one of the guys about giving them my big grouper for the display but they said thier not shure what fish they want to add and their gonna be picky. if they dont take him ill be forced into building my own shark/grouper pond in the basement.. oh well

[digital-audiophile]

2600G really? I'll have to bring my measuring tape next time.

[digital-audiophile]

guy told me it was 2600g but i was guessin somewhere around 1000g by looks. i talked to one of the guys about giving them my big grouper for the display but they said thier not shure what fish they want to add and their gonna be picky. if they dont take him ill be forced into building my own shark/grouper pond in the basement.. oh well


.. or you could have a backyard BBQ ;) :p

[BigA]

.. or you could have a backyard BBQ ;) :p

lol. Count me in!!

[REDNECK_REEFER]

I hope their store doesn't suck as much as the ones we have in the lower mainland!!:lol: