Tucked into a Northbrook storefront that feels more like a friend's living room than a retail shop, JJ Reefs has quickly become one of the Chicago area's most beloved saltwater destinations. Under owner JJ — also a co-founder of Reef Chicks United, a global reefing community for women — the shop combines genuine passion for education with an impressive coral selection that ranges from beginner-friendly frags to advanced collector pieces. Every coral and fish is quarantined before sale, a commitment to livestock health that customers rave about repeatedly.
The coral selection is the clear centerpiece. Frags are clearly priced, the variety rotates frequently, and the display tanks are impeccably maintained. Beyond corals, you'll find healthy saltwater fish, invertebrates like cleaner shrimp and peppermint shrimp, and bubble tip anemones at fair prices.
JJ Reefs also breeds their own copepods, phytoplankton, and brine shrimp in-house — their five-pod mix is a lifeline for mandarin owners across the northern suburbs. Reef salt, fish food, tanks, and equipment round out the dry goods side of the operation. What truly sets JJ Reefs apart is the experience.
A kids' corner stocked with crayons, coloring pages, and a toy bin makes this a genuinely family-friendly stop, and the resident shop dog greets visitors at the door. JJ and her team — including Francesca and Jessie — are known for spending hours chatting with customers, answering questions without any sales pressure. One customer was so moved by a visit that they relocated from Utah to Illinois just to make JJ Reefs their local shop.
The store also ships corals and invertebrates nationwide, with reviewers in Arizona reporting livestock arriving healthy and professionally packed with heat packs. For saltwater hobbyists in the greater Chicago area and beyond, JJ Reefs delivers on both product quality and the kind of warm, community-driven atmosphere that keeps reefers coming back.
Maia
50 reviews
Bought almost all of my fish here and they are always so healthy! Ethical fish store with lots of options that rotate frequently so you always get good variety!
Mark B
9 reviews
Stopped by a couple days ago and hung out with JJ and Francesca for a couple hours. Thank you both for being so kind and hospitable. We chatted and I got a chance to ask tons of questions which they didn't mind at all. I learned so much from my first visit and I left with a few stunning coral frags, some copepods, and some phytoplankton. Will definitely be visiting again soon.
Andrew Borkowicz
26 reviews
For the past 3 days I have been going to different shops around Chicago and I truly found a gem. Walking in you feel like your in someone's house. The owner was warm and welcoming. My boys were drawn to the sitting area where they had toys, colors and pictures to color allowing me to browse. Even when they came running up to me and curious about everything the owner was great with my kids, even though they wanted to touch everything and stick their hands in the tanks to touch the fish. She was extremely knowledgeable with everything and wasn't pushy to make a sale. Even though its almost an hour drive to come here, I will be coming back. yes for the corals, more for the atmosphere. Do not pass this place up, you will regret it.
Fish Store
3 reviews
JJ is among the nicest and most genuine reefers in the local scene. Doesn't matter whether youre a competitor or a customer, if youre in reefing, youre a friend. Much love from us at The Local Fish Store!
Zach Lebovitz
4 reviews
The best salt water coral and fish store in the northern burbs. No sketchy or shady business. Jessie is the best, willing to help, teach and make sure you’re always taken care of and happy!
Jayden V
4 reviews
Words can’t even express how obsessed I am with this store. Back when I was living in Utah, I knew my birthday was coming up and decided it was finally time to visit a place I’d been wanting to see for ages. JJ and her crew absolutely blew me away with their customer service they made my birthday (August 20th) truly unforgettable. I actually flew out just to visit the shop in person, and I ended up spending the entire day there. They treated me like royalty the whole time. Honestly, if flying across the country just to visit a store doesn’t tell you how incredible it is, I don’t know what will. Here are some photos of my aquarium and my experience at the shop. The visit had such an impact on me that it actually inspired me to move to Illinois and I did, just a month ago. I couldn’t be happier with that decision. Now, I get to call JJ’s shop my local reef store, and that still blows my mind.
Thomas Ambat
132 reviews
I came here with very limited knowledge about saltwater aquariums and the owner was very generous with her time and knowledge.
Daniel Son
44 reviews
Went to JJ’s for the first time last weekend. Picked up a couple cleaner shrimp and a nice bubble tip for a good price that is looking and doing awesome. Pretty good selection of items and corals.
Lee DiBiasio
9 reviews
Really chill place. Owner is awesome. QT’ed fish and coral. Ethical reefer and business person. Very reasonable prices. Could not have been nicer to my kids (6) and (8). Go check ‘em out!
Matt Kapusta
17 reviews
Great place to get some awesome phyto and copepods!!
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (312) 381-8875 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting JJ Reefs.
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1950 Raymond Dr, Northbrook, IL 60062
February 7, 2026
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