Serpentarium's Grand Opening!

UglyKid2 · Serpentarium's Grand Opening!

I just got an email from Robert of insectgeeks.com and proud new owner of Serpentarium in Lodi. I'm passing it along and it sounds like fun! Who wants to go? Here is a map with an address to find his place.
http://www.planetware.com/map-of/...alley-serpentarium-us-ca-7737.htm

Hey John,

Since we won't be attending the San Diego show this year, I'm going to have my Grand Opening on the same day and will make it a mini show all weekend long. There will be music, free food and drinks, lots of sales, and everybody who attends (for free) is allowed to bring their animals to buy/sell/trade with others.

I've contacted a couple of local breeders who also aren't going to the San Diego show and they're interested in setting up mini booths, so the turnout should be good. I'll be advertising all over Craigslist, Reptilegeeks, Newspapers, etc. I'm also handing out fliers to all the customers who come into the store.

P.S. Feel free to let SFBATS know about it, as they can all bring their stuff and setup an area to sell/trade.

Please spread the word!

June 27th & 28th - 10:00am - 5:00pm

Thanks,

Robert

llamamama

Road trip! I'm in!

Synn

oh AWESOME I've been dying to go check out that place! I have a BBQ I'm supposed to go to on the 27th though, and the 28th I work all day... But maybe I'll be able to go for the first hour at 10am on the 27th! I sure hope so! :)

Arachnocat

OMG I AM SO THERE!!!!!!!!!!

darth skippy

i'd really like to go but i'm not sure i can...

i'll hope though

BayLee

I am in too, if a big hawk is not going to pick me up as lunch between now and then

llamamama

BayLee

Laurie you are too sweet. I think I will be fine.

I got lots of family function going on.

Hawk = Family

EdgarOrtega

Cool.

I'm all over this. Looks like he invited us to have a table there.

John, has anyone offered to run a table, there for that weekend?

If not, I'm on it or would like to help.

Looks like a good way to talk to people, hand out SFBATS info and get some new members.

Ricky Ortiz84

well since I live in stockton I can run a table for us sunday but I work saturday.

EdgarOrtega

Ricky Ortiz84

HA HA sweeet!!! sleepover at my place!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Synn

Ricky Ortiz84

EdgarOrtega

Well nevermind. Looks like he's charging for table's vendors. I got this from Robert. It will still be cool to check out what he's done with the place since we were there last, though. I'll be going.

Maybe we can get involved with the reptile/insect shows later down the line.

Hey Edgar,

I plan to run a bi-monthly reptile/insect show after the grand opening, so I'm trying to get the building next door to the Serpentarium cleared out and ready now. If I can get it ready by then, I'll be able to offer tables. However, if I can't get it ready in two weeks, then space will be limited for the Grand Opening weekend. Though, I should still have room for you somewhere. The store looks very different since the last time you were there.

So far I've got about 4 - 5 vendors coming. I'm asking only $100 total to be a vendor for the entire grand opening weekend. For this event, animals brought by vendors will be setup in locked, glass display cabinets. Once I've got the other building ready, one table will be $125 and a second one will be $75. All tables will come with 2 chairs, 2 badges and will be skirted. Vendors will also get free food/drinks (B.B.Q.) both days. Electricity will be offered at $25 for the weekend, if needed. Booths can be setup however a vendor would like, as long as they stay within their booth boundaries, which will be clearly marked.

The food and drinks (B.B.Q.) will be free for everybody during the grand opening, but will be available to the public for purchase during the regular bi-monthly mini-shows. I'll have raffles/prizes and free promotional giveaways throughout the entire weekend. Plus, a variety of good music will be playing throughout the venue to keep everybody in good moods.

One of the key aspects to the mini-shows willl be in how selective I am with who the vendors are. To avoid competition and create good sales for all vendors, I will not allow more than one person to offer the same type of animals. So basically, if I've got a Leopar Gecko breeder booked, no other Leopard Gecko breeder will be allowed to vend. I'm also only allowing local vendors and will not advertise to non-local vendors. I want it to be profitable for vendors, with no hotel, gas and food expenses, low booth fees and virtually no competition. I'll also be marketing the show to both Reptile and Insect enthusiasts.

Please confirm if you'd like to book your spot and/or if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Robert

Ricky Ortiz84

WTF!!!!! he told me that everything that weekend was free lol good luck with that Honestly I think he's trying to hard and if he's not carefull with the speed at which he expands he'll find himself out of luck.

EdgarOrtega

If he has the energy for everything he's doing, all the better to him. :)

I'm looking forward to see what he's done with the place. We talked about about his future plans to expand in another building. I'd definitely like to be a part of that endeavor.

Ricky Ortiz84

all he's done to the bulding is take out the first set of tables that were right in the center of the store and put a glass wrap around cell phone display case there and he changed the storage closet to a invert room. But I think those prices are a bit crazy since the location of the shop is not the best its hard to find if you dont know how to get there already I dunno hope it does work out I just dont like the fact that went back on what he said bout it being free and I just went and talked to hinm about it saturday is he going to start charging admission to his store too? lol

EdgarOrtega

Its a cool place! I was glad it was so close when I lived in that area. There's nothing like that here outside of visiting the east bay.

It was always fun chatting with Bill Gillingham. He's still there taking care of various breeding projects; always excited about his latest creations and mutations. lol

"Check this out, Edgar. It is not of this world." lol

Synn

EdgarOrtega

Got this update on the Grand Opening. I'll post it here for an update for anyone that's going and for future reference

Edgar,

I've decided to make the Grand Opening a one-day event (Saturday, June 27th | 10:00am - 5:00pm) and the price to vend will only be $75 total for the day, which includes free B.B.Q. and drinks.

Also, here's the latest info I've come up with on the regular mini-shows thereafter:

I've decided to make the mini shows bi-monthly and one-day events, held in the
building next to The Serpentarium. One table will be $75 and a second one will
be offered at $50 (2 tables max). All tables will come with 2 chairs, 2
badges and will be skirted/covered. Vendors will receive free food &
drinks (B.B.Q.). Electricity will be offered at $20, if needed. A
package deal for 2 tables and electricity will be $135. Booths can be
setup however a vendor would like, as long as they stay within their
booth boundaries, which will be clearly marked. Public admission will
be $5 per person (any age).

Please let me know if you have any questions.

So, looks like it will be just Saturday for those going up. Aww you're working, Ricky.

Arachnocat

Wheee!

I'm not going to be able to stay the whole day, but I can get there early and bring the banner and our promo stuff.

I'm lookin' for a nice Boiga dendrophila. Hopefully Robert still has some.

UglyKid2

I just sent a message to Robert asking him to give us a deal like we got in SF and Sacramento. Since we don't sell anything, most shows offer free or discounted tables for non profit organizations.

EdgarOrtega

Cool, let us know what he says. It would be nice to have a table to chat with people.

EdgarOrtega

Here's a video I made at the Serpentarium, back when it was owned by Bill Gillingham.

Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuzgx_xbtBE

Synn

Cool vid, Edgar. Thanks for sharing

EdgarOrtega

This event is tomorrow, guys, for anyone going. :D

UglyKid2

Don't forget the grand opening tomorrow from 10am to 5pm!
See you there!

EdgarOrtega

Only 103 degrees there in Lodi tomorrow!

Don't wear a sweater!

BayLee

I have had the chills so if I go I am wearing one

BayLee · John, I will be at the airport at around 9:00am. Will that work?

John, I will be at the airport at around 9:00am. Will that work?

UglyKid2

OK, great! Look forward to seeing you again! Don't forget your bucket!

BayLee

I might bring it just in case. :-(

UglyKid2

Just got back from the Serpentarium's grand opening and since Rachel and I were early we missed out on the vendors and the BBQ but there was plenty else to see and do. Here's some pics I took:
Green iguana

Water monitor

Beautiful snow boa constrictor

Laurie and Al

Anaconda

I gave my camera to Laurie's little guy Christopher and he took all the rest of these:
Rachel

Jilly

Laurie

Poison dart frog

Red tegu

Leopard tortoise

Great job, Kit!

BayLee

Sorry I could not make it John and Rachel. I overestimated myself, I guess. The heat would have made it much worse I think. L
Well perhaps next time.

llamamama

Thanks for posting Kit's pics, John. Here are a few more he and Jilly took with my extra camera.

llamamama

Here are the pics I took today.

Lots of monitors

Big snakes!!!

Little tortoise

Green Tree Python

Lots of cool little chameleons

We all tried hard not to drool on this one!

Rainbow boa...I want this one!

BIG snake!

Lots of poison dart frogs

John likes really big snakes!

Josh, we were thinking of you!!!

BayLee

Great pictures guys.

OMG, Skippy must have this dog....

EdgarOrtega

Coolio, guys.

Does the place look much different?

Anthonaus

Those pictures are great. Thanks for sharing.

darth skippy

i already have 3 dogs... i can't take anymore

nice pics all, i wish i could have gone.

BayLee

Skippy, you need to have that dog, it has your name written all over it.
And look how cute he looks!

darth skippy

a man can only deal with a certain amount of chihuahuas at a time.

my limit is 2 and i have reached it

Arachnocat

Had fun today! I saw a lot of cool snakes and the biggest monitor I've ever seen

I was going to get my pic taken by it but I was afraid it would eat me. lol.

Want!

Invert room

My pics didn't turn out so well, but they have some false water cobras that are

I can't wait till mine gets that big!

BayLee

But he looks so cute.....

BayLee

Awesome pictures Rachel.

EdgarOrtega

Awesome pics, Rachel. What'choo talking about??? I love snakes.

Post them over yonder.. hehe

Was that your first time there?

Arachnocat

Yep it was my first time there. The mangroves were super cool, and laying eggs! Hope Robert has some babies soon

EdgarOrtega

Robert is young and his wife looks healthy, I'm sure he'll have some babies at some point.

llamamama

Very nice pics, Rachel! You make me want a new camera!

Arachnocat

DeeCasey

Rachel,

Your pics are great! You captured everything so beautifully. Thanks for sharing.