[Quinn]

I think it is absurd to say that LFS' will eventually dissapear. Chapters/Indigo Online and Amazon are huge, but yet Coles (yes, I know, part of Chapters) and other independent booksellers continue to thrive. Aquarium Illusions in Edmonton is hands down the best LFS in this province (a few small issues aside), and you can't tell me they don't make money, considering that they are continually expanding, adding, modifying, renovating.

The point is, the "bad" LFS' can defend themselves all they want, but in the long run they are hurting themselves, and more importantly, the hobby. Yesterday's National Post had a small column on Finding Nemo and its effect on the global fish trade - obviously, the theme of the movie is "aquariums baaaad" (a la Napster), yet thanks to its success, the popularity of saltwater aquaria is skyrocketing. PETA and other environmentalist groups are already on our case. The LFS' with dead or starving fish and uneducated teenagers working there are not helping anything. Retailers are on the front lines and have the power to dissuade the unprepared customer from jumping into the hobby. I think us hobbyists on Canreef do our part, in a fairly objective fashion. When will the LFS' start doing theirs?

I have a feeling someone is going to break out the whole "LFS' are in business to make money, it's hard to make it as a small businessperson". If LFS' want to take that stance, then they will never escape the stereotypical view of LFS' that seems so prominent in Calgary.