Michigan Cichlid Association

Classifieds => LFS Reviews => Topic started by: RichE on November 19, 2012, 06:41:51 PM

Title: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: RichE on November 19, 2012, 06:41:51 PM
I used to go this place when I was in my teens and have fond memories of the place. The back where the fish are is like a pirate ship and you look thru port holes.

The reason I am writing this review is I have heard so many bad things about the place since I got back into fish keeping.

Well I went there today and traded in some fish and spoke with Dennis the owner. I explained to him what I have heard thru out the community both Fish and pets.

Yes the store needs a good cleaning, and he is slowly trying to fix the place up. A few weeks ago someone broke in and vandalized the place, They only Broke One Tank but destroyed most of his dry good inventory.

He is a very humble man and you tell his heart is there in that store since his father built it and he is carrying it on.

My wife said it looked like he was going to cry when I told him what I have heard , but I gave him the honest truth and he took it with honor.

He was telling me in the summer they have a 2 1/2' deep pond in the back, that they have set up where they put multiple types of larger fish in to make it a attraction and also to make it a natural setting for the fish.

They are mostly into freshwater and he said he really is into Africans and he has some nice ones. The young guy who helped me today was very knowledgeable and was very helpful.

So I guess what I am saying is give the place a chance and stop in, he is trying to get things back in order and I will be going back again.

Just my 2 cents

FYI they have a huge assortment of driftwood and Holey rock
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Regalblue on November 19, 2012, 07:10:44 PM
I always stop in there,  if I'm in the area.
The prices were The major drawbacks IMO

As long as the tanks are clean,  fish are healthy&  there's not 2' of dirt/dust on things - then cleanliness is just a bonus IMO  I don't expect a grocery store look when going into a LFS
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Steve on November 19, 2012, 08:09:46 PM
I've never been there  or heard of that one but Warren is not far from me, I'll have to make it a point to check it out soon. Where exactly is is Rich? And that blows my mind that someone would break in to vandalized a pet store. What the hell is wrong with people now a days >:(
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: RichE on November 19, 2012, 08:39:43 PM
13983 East 9 Mile Road Warren, MI 48089

Blair regarding prices, I noticed its just like everywhere else, they are high on some and lower on others

I bought a piece of drift wood today for under $10 and the same size(ruffly) was 3 times that at the lfs that is 2 miles away

That is why I like to shop around.

After turkey day plan a Saturday or Sunday and come to my house and we will do a tour of the LFS on this side of town, I will even drive ;D
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: African cichlid Keeper on December 08, 2012, 10:31:01 PM
I went there today and well not alot of fish and the place wasn't very clean. nice birds and snake..
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Jaws22 on December 20, 2012, 10:43:45 PM
I was there Tuesday, the people were nice and helpful. I hope they can restore it to what it used to be.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: auratus on January 02, 2013, 06:12:55 AM
Now I use to stop in there all the time 30 years ago when the MCAS was next door I heard it closed down . Is that true did they close down for a while ? I like to stop in for old times sake one day
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Regalblue on January 02, 2013, 07:35:09 AM
Now I use to stop in there all the time 30 years ago when the MCAS was next door I heard it closed down . Is that true did they close down for a while ? I like to stop in for old times sake one day
the Livonia store closed down.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: RichE on January 02, 2013, 01:11:15 PM
Since my firs trip back a few months ago, it has come along way. It is not clean and shiny like petsmart or petco, but he is giving it a honest try.

I hope he can turn it around as it has a ton of potential but i honestly think he is in over his head, and trying to be a "pet store" and not just a fish store with a few snakes and lizards.

I was there sunday and the tanks were being cleaned and the floors were being redone, and there is a nice selection of africans but a little high on price Just my 2 cents
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: four_by_ken on January 03, 2013, 10:09:12 AM
I also used to go to Greenwoods when I was younger.  I loved the store.  This was 20+ years ago.

When I got back into fish last fall, I stopped on it and was very disappointed.  The place was a disaster.  From the parking lot full of weeds and garbage, all the dry goods completely disorganized, stock of tanks just piled up basically, fish tanks all needed a big time cleaning.  Normally I dont get on the internet just to complain.  But, to be honest... something has to be done here or it will go out of business soon.

Now, that being said... I sure hope the above is true about trying to refresh the place.  But, as of now, I have no desire what so ever to go back to this store.  Its a shame.

Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Maize-N-Blue-D on January 30, 2013, 11:17:58 PM
Ditto - I hope he can bring it back, I used to go there all the time when I was growing up !  The back area was so cool !
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: RichE on January 31, 2013, 12:28:27 AM
Ditto - I hope he can bring it back, I used to go there all the time when I was growing up !  The back area was so cool !
Dont quote me but A little bird told me that things are not looking good for the owner cough cough, Google greenwoods pets,warren mi
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Marty on January 31, 2013, 01:04:04 AM
What are you referring to?
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: four_by_ken on February 19, 2013, 05:45:13 PM
Still not looking to good to me.  Lots of large birds all over now. 

Too bad they dont clean up after them.

 :-\
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: RichE on February 19, 2013, 06:04:30 PM
I have given up trying to "help" them out,I have said good things and tried to encourage him to clean the place up as A lot of people talk about it, but its in one ear and out the other.

Im pretty sure its just a matter of time before its shut down, I do know that the owner is going to trial on felony animal abuse charges and the City is there at least once a week ( I spoke with Animal control directly)

Place gave me a lot of great memories but when you dont care about your business it shows.

Sure the tanks are cleaner now then they were back in October, but the store is just run down. You cant sell chickens,and ducks and snakes and fish and alligators and dogs and cats and any other animal you can fit thru the frt door and expect it to be clean and in tip top shape when you don't have a staff to run the place.

The building will be condemned if they close the doors, it is just one big "h@@l Hole now and that's sad.

Stingray bay and Ocean and Seas are with in 2-3 miles of this place and That is where everyone should go if down that way.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: RichE on March 13, 2013, 08:21:23 PM
Well The store is having a 30% off sale but he has marked all the prices up on the livestock?

Anyways There are some dry goods that are still decently  priced and then you take off 30%, I wont be going back though Last time I went in it smelled of marijuana so bad I thought I was at a Snoop Dog Concert. To each is his own but when I take my kid to a pet store I dont need them walking into a cloud of "smoke"
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: NorthernAquatic on March 13, 2013, 08:38:37 PM
To each is his own but when I take my kid to a pet store I dont need them walking into a cloud of "smoke"
I agree with that statement.

Did you say anything, or make a comment?
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Vamptrev on March 13, 2013, 10:24:13 PM
I wasnt going to say anything but now that someone brought it up i always saw the owner comming out of the back room or outside stinking like smoke. Not good for biz. Sad to see this place go down
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: fishman on March 14, 2013, 01:36:36 PM
I was there today around 1:00 PM and the store was closed. 
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: CptSpaulding on March 14, 2013, 10:04:10 PM
I was there today around 1:00 PM and the store was closed.

Good! Google Dennis Jones Greenwods pets. I'm not too sure if any of you guys knew what this guy is really like.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Jake on March 15, 2013, 12:59:11 PM
You mean this?
http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/messages/44208712/
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: CptSpaulding on March 15, 2013, 06:47:57 PM
You mean this?
http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/messages/44208712/

Thats just the tip of the iceberg on this guy
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: DimSum on March 15, 2013, 06:58:18 PM
That's a shame to hear.  Greenwoods was the place that got me into saltwater and reefkeeping 20+ years ago.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: four_by_ken on March 15, 2013, 08:10:36 PM
Sad, so many people with the same story.

Too bad.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: CptSpaulding on March 15, 2013, 08:31:20 PM
His father was a great guy. I won't go into details but he learned nothing from his father.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: Patrick on March 15, 2013, 08:41:19 PM
I remember when I was a kid having to take a number to buy fish.  What a shame.
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: four_by_ken on March 16, 2013, 10:16:02 AM
I remember when I was a kid having to take a number to buy fish.  What a shame.

I remember that too!
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: RichE on March 16, 2013, 09:17:51 PM
well I was around the corner today and I just had to stop in because well its a fish store LOL and why i still condone his business practice's the place is as clean as i have ever seen it, and I dont know ifit was a fluke but the fish selection is better then I have seen in the past 5 months.

Not saying run down and knock the doors off but I will give credit where credit is due. He is trying to get the place back and running clean

Just a fyi
Title: Re: Greenwoods warren,mi
Post by: four_by_ken on March 17, 2013, 03:12:29 PM
I too was in the neighborhood today.

While I do agree they have straightened things up... the place is still a disaster.

I give the young kid I was talking to credit.  He was trying hard to help me out and did know what he was talking  about... for the most part.

They really need to get rid of the birds.  Sad.

They had a lot more cichlids,  But it would still be hard for me to buy anything.

There was one lonely, tiny peacock bass covered in ick.  I wanted to buy it to save it.