Karma’s A Fish celebrates anniversary
Animal meet-and-greets, free lunch for everyone
Trending
ALPENA - Karma's A Fish will mark nine years in business Saturday with a customer appreciation celebration that includes free lunch, animal meet-and-greets, raffles and storewide discounts at its location in the Harborside Mall.
The event runs from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. close.
Store co-owner Shelly Adamski said the milestone has arrived faster than expected.
"I can't believe it's been nine years already. It's gone by fast," Adamski said.
The store opened in 2017 after Adamski and a friend struggled to find tropical fish locally. At the time, Walmart was the only nearby option.
"The idea to start this store came when we got a tank at home and started looking for fish locally, but we could not find any. The only place that sold them in the area at that point in time was Walmart, so I got together with one of my friends and we decided to start an aquatic store," Adamski said.
What began as a freshwater and saltwater aquarium shop expanded after customers asked for ferrets, hamsters and guinea pigs. Adding reptiles and small animals changed the businesses trajectory and is now a must visit for pet owners and people who just want to see the exotic animals for sale.
"Our original intention was to be an aquatic store but then we had people coming into the store looking for ferrets, hamsters, and guinea pigs. After we made that change and started offering reptiles and small animals everything took off," Adamski said.
Karma's A Fish is now the only store offering reptiles and small animals within about 80 miles, she said. Even nine years later, new customers still discover it regularly.
"I still have people coming in on a daily basis who didn't know we were here," Adamski said.
Saturday's celebration grew from a recent outreach. MKM Equine Synergy Services, a nonprofit, had contacted the store about bringing mini horses for a meet-and-greet. Adamski invited them back for the anniversary.
"Not too long ago MKM Equine Synergy Services approached us to bring their mini horses down for a meet and greet so I contacted them for the anniversary celebration. They are a huge hit with the kids, and they operate as a non-profit organization, so it helps them get the word out to the community," Adamski said.
Other animal experiences will include photo opportunities with Rheagel, the store's roughly 4-foot iguana; Sasha, an umbrella cockatoo; and sulcata tortoises. A mini petting zoo will feature baby goats, mini horses, baby pigs and Silkie Satin chickens. Customers of the store are also bringing a piglet, domesticated skunks and a cockatoo.
Local vendors joining the event include Dustin's Birds & Hedgies of Rogers City, which will raffle a hand-fed Green Quaker Parrot along with a cage and will sell other Quaker parrots and conures at a discount; Northern Lights Bakery with animal- and fish-themed baked goods; Gardener Rabbitry with a pig and farm animals; Katie's Critters with adoptable kittens; and Angie Hart with baby skunks.
Adamski said she enjoys partnering with other small businesses.
"I like to work with other small businesses. I think if more small businesses work together, we can help each other," she said.
Deals include 99-cent fish specials on select fish, limited-time pricing on reptiles and small animals, and 10% off the entire dry goods section. Most of the store will be under some form of discount. Raffles and giveaways will feature items from brands including Seachem Laboratories, GloFish, Omega One Fish Food and A&E Cages. The first 50 customers will receive a free custom swag bag.
Free lunch will include hot dogs with fixings, homemade chili, chips and pop from 11 a.m. until supplies last.
"Lunch is on us; my husband and my son will be cooking hot dogs on the Blackstone. There will be homemade chili, pop, chips and lots of giveaways," Adamski said.
She expects a busy day and has arranged extra help. Looking ahead, Adamski said the store plans to add new fish species and is considering an expansion of its dry goods inventory.
More details are available on the store's Facebook page or by calling 989-340-0833.