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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 27, 2012 · 10 By Brice Roy SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Big Al's was a favourite with local children The time has come to say goodbye to Big Al's. The Oakville landmark is due to close, though it's hoping the change won't leave local residents feeling like fish out of water. Big Al's Aquarium Supercentre located at 557 Kerr St., has been a favourite of small children and fish enthusiasts for more than seven years. However, due to upcoming infrastructure changes and to avoid a property expropriation at a later date, the doors to the shop will close on Monday (April 30). The intersection of Kerr Street and Shepherd Road is due to be widened, which Town of Oakville officials knew would eventually pose a problem to Big Al's. "We knew this particular property would have to be acquired because the corner would have to be widened, meaning we would have to take a substantial portion of Big Al's site," said Maynard Millman, manager, Realty Services Town of Oakville. "The improvements are probably a few years down the road, but not that long a time." Besides seeking a new form of entertainment other than the Tuesday night shark feedings, Oakville residents will be hard- nikki wesley / oakville beaver / @halton_photog See 'ya chums: Big Al's Aquarium Services, which hosted a weekly shark-feeding event and was also a popular destination for local childcare centres, is closing doors Monday (April 30). pressed to find a business as involved in the community. "I think we were a big part of the community as far as the things we do," said Kelly Grams, district manager, Big Al's. "We were doing the Santa Claus parade in Oakville and the candle-lighting ceremony at the square. We have probably half a dozen daycare centres that come to our store on a daily basis. All the really young kids walk around and look at the fish and reptiles." The departure of the store is as disappointing for the employees as it is the for broader community. "It's kind of a drag because you've built up a clientele for about seven-and-a-half years and you're basically saying goodbye to a lot of them," said Grams. Join us at Interior Design House during the month of April for our Spring Sale Sale % However, the goodbyes may actually be see-you-laters. According to Grams, Big Al's has already started looking into new alternate Oakville locations and is storing supplies for a quick set-up and return. "I think within the next year and a half we'll probably look to reopen somewhere in Oakville," said Grams. "We're putting things away. All of our sections will be marked and stored in trailers. It's going to be a ready, set, go kind of thing when the time comes." Due to closure of its Oakville location, Big Al's is trying to liquidate the store's remaining inventory. All tanks, aquariums and livestock are being discounted to sell to avoid sending merchandise to other locations. "We don't want to bombard our other locations with inventory they don't really need," said Grams. "The plan is to sell the majority of the stock off and the fixtures and stuff like that will be put neatly away in trailers." Other businesses in the area are also in danger of suffering a similar fate as Big Al's. "The other properties we would have to acquire would probably be small widenings off the front of each property," said Millman. "It's unlikely, at this stage in the game, but we are unsure if we will have to acquire any other full properties." Like nature? STORE WIDE As always, our design staff will be on site to assist you 25 OFF www.interiordesignhouse.com Love Royal Botanical Gardens! E O U R BL T A OO R B LE Early May Tulip Celebration Rock Garden M Burlington 4047 Fairview St. Burlington, ON L7L 2A4 905.634.3439 500 Speers Road, Oakville, ON L6K 2G3 Oakville CE S Spring Plant Sale May 3, 5 and 6 www.rbg.ca 905.339.3439 RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Hamilton/Burlington · 905-527-1158