Store draws inspiration from the sea

Business helps novices start saltwater tanks

DAVE GALLAGHER

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If pursuing a passion is a key to a successful retail store, then two business partners are on the right track.

In January Jason Givant started The Chronic Reefer, a saltwater fish, coral and equipment store on Bay Street, next to The Upfront Theatre.

He later brought on Laura Birenbaum as a co-owner, and the two have been creating an environmentally friendly store with a selection of more than 150 fish.

| ANDY BRONSON THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

“I really wanted to do something that I’ve enjoyed as a hobby,” said Givant. “Being able to do what I love all day is a great feeling.”

While business has gone well for those familiar with the saltwater fish crowd, the name has been a little confusing to the general public, who may not catch the coral reef reference.

“The saltwater fish community is a pretty close-knit one, but we still get people who step in, wondering what we actually sell,” Givant said.

Birenbaum said they handselect their fish to make sure they can get hearty fish that can handle a transition. They also are looking at getting a marine aquatic certification.

“The big thing for me is conservation, making sure we do this in a way that doesn’t hurt the reefs or fish in nature,” said Birenbaum, who is getting a degree in marine biology science at Western Washington University.

“For example, the corals and fish are grown at facilities, rather than taken from nature. We want to make sure the natural environment is left untouched.”

Operating a saltwater fish tank can be a challenge for the novice, so Givant and Birenbaum believe the advantage they have over large retailers is being able to explain the systems.

“We’re here, ready to give advice on making it successful,” Birenbaum said. “What I think is great about saltwater tanks is it combines beauty, science and art into one package at home.”

For more information about the company, call 543-9071 or visit www.chronic-reefer.com.

TIME TO CLOSE

Several retail businesses recently (and quietly) closed:

Sirena Gelato closed its Barkley Village location.

Owner Fahri Ugurlu said he thought Barkley Village was a good spot, but the foot traffic wasn’t quite there.

“This is a learning process, and we’ve discovered that foot traffic is the key to making this kind of business work,” Ugurlu said. “We’ve been doing well in Fairhaven and at Bellis Fair, where there is more leisure traffic. At Barkley, the foot traffic is mostly from people coming out of Haggen, and that isn’t leisure foot traffic.”

At Bellis Fair, several businesses have vacated spots. Renee’s Home & Garden (in the Target wing) had a sale before closing last week. The indoor Glow Golf business (in the Target wing), Smoke Plus (in the J.C. Penney wing) and Taco Time (in the Food Court) are gone.

OTHER TIDBITS

Mari and Will Kemper had their city building permits approved to renovate the old Hertz Rental Equipment building at 601 W. Holly St. and turn it into Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen. Mari Kemper said they began pouring cement last week and are now shooting for a May opening. … A Lynden bookkeeping company has moved into a bigger location. Bookkeeping Solutions NW was scheduled to move to 1897 Front St., Suite 201, near the former Lynden Cost Cutter this past weekend. The 3,800-squarefoot spot is nearly four times as large as the current location, according to a company press release. Bill Pate, owner of Bookkeeping Solutions NW, said the larger space will allow expansion of the company’s growing tax practice. For more information, call 318-1611. … Joe’s Professional Golf Lab & Indoor Golf Center has added 2,000 square feet of space and some new equipment. The business had a grand re-opening earlier this month at its 4073 Hannegan Road location.