About
The Animal Store is a family-run exotic pet shop tucked into a Lincolnwood, IL strip mall, and behind its rows of birds, reptiles, and small mammals sits a freshwater fish section that longtime local aquarists quietly swear by. One 45-year hobbyist credits owner Ken — also signed Kenn or Kenneth in reviews — with keeping high-quality, disease-free tropical stock, and he's known for a strong run of African cichlids, often with deals on juveniles to help fill out a new tank. If you're hunting African cichlids for sale in Lincolnwood, IL, this is one of the few independent shops in the area still curating its tanks by hand.
Beyond the cichlid tanks, you'll find bettas and livebearers like guppies available in Lincolnwood, plus community staples such as tiger barbs. Reviewers note the fish advice can be hit or miss, so it's worth coming in with your tank size and stocking plan already in mind — Ken and the staff are happy to talk specifics in person, and several customers describe genuinely helpful, no-pressure guidance and follow-up care tips. What sets this fish store apart is the depth of its broader inventory.
Recent visitors have come in for things you simply can't get at a big-box chain — dairy cow isopods, leaf litter, land snails, feeder crickets, and fruit flies — alongside standard aquarium supplies and a famously large wall of bird toys. Regulars call it "a REAL pet store," the opposite of a franchise, and a place worth a long drive to support a local independent. A few honest notes: the shop is small and the mix of animals gives it a strong smell, and some visitors have flagged enclosure sizes.
Still, for Lincolnwood-area keepers after healthy freshwater fish, cichlid variety, and hard-to-find livestock you can actually see before you buy, The Animal Store remains a go-to neighborhood stop.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Animal Store in Lincolnwood, IL
The Animal Store stocks African cichlids, betta fish, livebearers and freshwater fish for sale in Lincolnwood, IL. As a fish store serving Lincolnwood, IL, it also offers fish boarding and aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- African CichlidsBettasLivebearers
- Services
- Fish BoardingConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Longtime aquarists praise owner Ken's high-quality, disease-free freshwater fish
- Strong African cichlid selection, often with deals on juveniles for new tanks
- Bettas and livebearers like guppies among the freshwater stock
- Hard-to-find inventory: dairy cow isopods, leaf litter, land snails, and feeder insects
- Family-run independent with a large bird-toy wall and in-person care advice
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Well kept animals, caring staff.”
— Johanna5.0Edited a month ago“Love this place, has pets and supplies that you cannot find amywhere else!”
— Karen Besyk5.0a month ago“I've been here many times, just never left a review. They have just about any pet you can think of. Huge selection of items and fair price. Much more than your petsmart or petco. I came in for isopods and leaf litter. Great deal on the Dairy cow isopods! Defintely recomnend to come here if you're in the area.”
— Keven5.0a month ago“DO NOT SHOP HERE! It is disgusting how this store owner has encaged that poor tortoise for so many years as a "prop"! No living creature deserved this kind of sad life. Please demand that the owner sends her to a sanctuary!”
— Kathleen Cimbala1.0a month ago“Just walked through the store. Such an amazing place. Super clean ,wonderful animals. The owner Kenn is so nice and knowledgeable!!”
— Aaron Fox5.0a month ago“Used to love this store. Went in today and saw them (the owner himself) sell a 6 week old rabbit to a family who said their old rabbit “got too big so we threw it away” when explaining they didn’t want to buy a cage with said rabbit. Ignoring the fact that the cages are way too small for a rabbit unless you plan on free roaming, to be willing to sell an animal to a family who just admitted to animal abuse is absurd. Tells you just how much they care about their animals wellbeing’s. Truly disappointing”
— Reggie Kmiec1.02 months ago“A REAL pet store. Great variety and exotics. I will be stopping by frequently!”
— Erica C5.02 months ago“We bought a sweet little ferret here. We were happy with the customer service.”
— Jennifer Mulert5.02 months ago“Love this place, i stopped by to pet some rabbits but i saw many cool animals, and i got to see the store mascot which was a tortoise!! Definitely will come here in the future to purchase a pet! I also ended up leaving with a donut treat for my dog 😊”
— Dafne Ortiz5.02 months ago“Super Friendly and knowledgeable! They don’t make pet stores like this anymore. If you are looking for the opposite of a big box franchise, this is it! Support local!”
— Heath McKinley5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (847) 675-5133 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Animal Store.