Finned Fanatics tropical fish docks in Newton

A new store has opened its doors in Newton.

Sunday afternoon, Finned Fanatics, LLC held its grand opening at 220 E. Eighth St. N. in Newton. About eight curious would-be-pet-owners came and visited the lounge-like pet store, complete with gerbils, snakes, fish and birds.

Chris Hoagland, owner of Finned Fanatics, said he opened the store because he saw a market need, for niche pet owners inside city limits.

“I’ve always been a tropical fish guy. There was nothing in Marshalltown or in any of the other surrounding areas,” Hoagland said. “So I bought a big tank (in the fall) and thought the only way to stock it would be to go to Des Moines.

“So that gave me the idea that I had enough, and I’m going to start my own tropical fish store,” Hoagland added.

Eventually, the idea expanded from tropical fish to the new store containing a variety of animals. Those animals include gerbils, hamsters, snakes, birds and parrots, as well as feed and supplies for all of them. Reptiles are also in demand, Hoagland said, and will be available at the store at some point in the future.

Currently, Hoagland has a full-time job in West Des Moines that takes up a good chunk of his time. Finned Fanatics will be his priority in his off-time.

When he isn’t available, his girlfriend Tonya Webb will assist with the store in any way she can.

“We encourage everyone to support their small businesses,” Webb said. “It’s not every day you walk into Petco and find what you need.”

But for now, Hoagland is trying to make it a place people will want to hang out at while shopping for pet supplies.

“I’m trying to make it a pretty cool atmosphere. We have a TV going, movies, a brand new couch. I still have my huge fish tanks to bring down,” Hoagland said.

The grand opening brought in people who felt comfortable mingling and conversing with each other. Alayna Guillaume came here with her grandfather and was able to look at each of the animals, even a ball python snake.

“The only animals I kind of don’t like are the snakes, because they (slither),” she said. “I like the mice and gerbils because they’re cool.”

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or oshawl@newtondailynews.com