SeaQuest (aquariums)

Last updated

SeaQuest Holdings, LLC
Seaquest
Company type Private
FoundedNovember 2015
Headquarters,
Area served
United States
Key people
Vince Covino, founder and CEO [1]
Services Entertainment, aquariums, petting zoos
Revenue$5 million
Number of employees
300
Website visitseaquest.com

SeaQuest Holdings, LLC better known as just SeaQuest, is an interactive marine, exotic mammal, and bird/reptile life attraction chain. It was founded by Vince Covino and features hands-on animal interactions at shopping malls throughout the United States. [2] The company has locations in Utah, Las Vegas, New Jersey, California and Minnesota. [3] SeaQuest has attracted considerable controversy and legal issues due to concerns over its animal care standards.

Contents

History

SeaQuest was established in 2015 by Vince Covino. [4] Prior to the launch of SeaQuest, along with his brother Ammon, founded Portland Aquarium in 2012 (closed 2016), [5] the Austin Aquarium in 2013 [6] and the San Antonio Aquarium in 2014. [7]

SeaQuest opened its first location at Layton, Utah in 2016. [8] This location was followed by one in the Las Vegas area, which also opened in 2016 at The Boulevard Mall. [9] A third location opened in Fort Worth, Texas in 2017. [10]

SeaQuest provides an immersive experience for visitors by allowing guests to touch, feed, and interact with exotic birds, reptiles, mammals, and marine life through hands-on exhibits throughout the aquarium. [11] Although similar to its sister aquariums, SeaQuest locations are usually housed within shopping malls.

SeaQuest's Littleton, Colorado location opened in June 2018. [12] SeaQuest went on to open its fifth location in Folsom in September 2018. [13] [12] The company's location at the Stonecrest Mall opened in 2021 and was the first step of a redevelopment project by Stonecrest Resorts. [14]

In June 2023, the Stonecrest, Georgia location permanently closed. A new aquarium is supposed to be taking over the location. [15] In August 2023, the Trumbull, Connecticut location permanently closed after years of animal welfare violations. [16]

In October 2024, The SeaQuest located in Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth, Texas permanently closed after PETA launched a campaign against the location for severe animal cruelty that was uncovered by former employees of the location. [17]

In December 2024, SeaQuest filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after it was revealed that animals and employees were placed in dangerous conditions at the company's locations. The aquariums will remain open during the procedure. [18]

SeaQuest employee with an Asian water monitor. SeaQuest tegu.jpg
SeaQuest employee with an Asian water monitor.

Locations

As of 2024, SeaQuest currently has 5 locations across the United States. [3]

LocationDate Opened
Layton, Utah 2016
Las Vegas, Nevada 2016
Folsom, California 2018 [19]
Roseville, Minnesota 2018 [20]
Woodbridge, New Jersey 2019 [21]
SeaQuest employee dressed as a mermaid. SeaQuest mermaid.jpg
SeaQuest employee dressed as a mermaid.

Former locations

LocationDate OpenedDate Closed
Fort Worth, Texas 2017October 28, 2024 [22]
Littleton, Colorado 2018 [23] February 7, 2024 [24]
Lynchburg, Virginia 2019 [25] October 18, 2024 [26]
Stonecrest, Georgia 2021 [7] 2023 [27]
Trumbull, Connecticut 2019 [20] 2023 [28]

Community engagement

SeaQuest organized an event in collaboration with Layton Communities That Care to support the prevention underage drinking. [29] In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, SeaQuest's Stonecrest location also offered free COVID vaccinations. [30] [ [31] SeaQuest also organized an event for Georbrand Jackson, a 10-year-old who was injured in a drive-by shooting, in December 2021. [32] [33]

Violations and incidents

SeaQuest has been subject to boycott and protests by animal-rights advocates such as PETA [34] and actor Alec Baldwin, who blocked an aquarium from being constructed on Long Island. [35] In addition, SeaQuest has had numerous violations and incidents at its various locations. [36]

Littleton, Colorado

A kid petting a snake at SeaQuest. SeaQuest Boy with snake.jpg
A kid petting a snake at SeaQuest.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Fort Worth, Texas

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References

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