Fish enthusiasts will soon have another way to fuel their interest.
NOVA Tropicals, an aquarium shop, is opening in Dale City.
Standing at 5409 Mapledale Plaza, the business will feature an assortment of saltwater and freshwater fish.
It’s expected to open at the end of January, according to Owner Dave Dempsey.
Dempsey and his wife moved to Northern Virginia from New York, where he owned two pet stores, to be closer to their children.
“We were driving from Syracuse to Virginia about every other week, every third week to see the two children,” Dempsey explained. “The two kids aren’t coming back to Syracuse, because there’s really not a lot of jobs there.”
Dempsey is passionate about the aquatic business.
“I love supporting anybody that wants to get into the hobby. I mean, that is a true passion of mine,” Dempsey said. “Whatever I can do to try to make it affordable for somebody to get into the hobby, I would love to do that.”
Unlike other aquatic businesses, NOVA Tropicals will quarantine the fish.
Once the shipment is received, the fish will be unbagged and become acclimated to the tank.
Then, the fish will be isolated for two to three weeks before they’re brought out to the main store and sold.
In addition to selling fish, the aquarium shop will be offering services, such as tank installation.
