Athens native and University of Georgia alumni Tebias "Troy" Brookins has been interested in fish since his first job at a pet store.
In December 2015, Brookins took his interest in fish to the next level and opened his own one-stop shop for all aquarium needs, Fin-Alley, in Baxter Center on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. "It was hard getting opened but that's what I wanted to do," Brookins said.
Unlike big brand stores, the local shop aims to be different by marketing fish to novices and experts alike.
Fin-Alley brings in an estimated 400 fish a week. The fish come from across the county, including saltwater fish from California and freshwater fish from Atlanta, Georgia and Florida.
Although Fin-Alley, an essential store, has stayed open during the COVID-19 pandemic, many aquarium manufacturers and suppliers closed. This caused Fin-Alley's stock of fish, coral and handmade tanks to drop. As suppliers have begun operating again, Brookins hopes to be back in full stock soon.
Brookins offered advice to other small businesses during this time.
"Do what you got to do," Brookins said. "We all have a story. Keep going."
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Fin-Alley pictured in Baxter Center on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fish food and aquarium supplies fill the shelves at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley offers a variety of aquarium decorations such as wood and plastic plants on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley sells aquarium necessities including pumps on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley offers a variety of aquarium plants on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley provides a variety of fish food options to customers on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley owner Tebias Brookins poses for a photo in front of aquarium tanks on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Assorted mbuna swim in an aquarium at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Assorted fish swim in an aquarium at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A small mbuna swims toward the aquarium glass at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley offers a variety of aquarium plants on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Tanks located in the back of Fin-Alley contain xenia and acan corals on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Tanks located in the back of Fin-Alley contain xenia and acan corals on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A black phantom snowflake fish swims in an aquarium tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A bicolor angel fish swims toward the aquarium glass at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A bicolor angel fish swims in an aquarium tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A gold stripe maroon clown fish swims in an aquarium tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A sea robin fish sits on the aquarium rocks in a tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Aquarium tanks line the aisles at Fin-Alley, a local aquarium shop that receives an estimated 400 fish per week, on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley pictured in Baxter Center on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
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Fin-Alley pictured in Baxter Center on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fish food and aquarium supplies fill the shelves at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley offers a variety of aquarium decorations such as wood and plastic plants on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley sells aquarium necessities including pumps on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley offers a variety of aquarium plants on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley provides a variety of fish food options to customers on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley owner Tebias Brookins poses for a photo in front of aquarium tanks on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Assorted mbuna swim in an aquarium at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Assorted fish swim in an aquarium at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A small mbuna swims toward the aquarium glass at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley offers a variety of aquarium plants on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Tanks located in the back of Fin-Alley contain xenia and acan corals on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Tanks located in the back of Fin-Alley contain xenia and acan corals on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A black phantom snowflake fish swims in an aquarium tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A bicolor angel fish swims toward the aquarium glass at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A bicolor angel fish swims in an aquarium tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A gold stripe maroon clown fish swims in an aquarium tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
A sea robin fish sits on the aquarium rocks in a tank at Fin-Alley on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Aquarium tanks line the aisles at Fin-Alley, a local aquarium shop that receives an estimated 400 fish per week, on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Brookins' Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
Fin-Alley pictured in Baxter Center on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Fin-Alley is a final stop for all aquarium needs located on Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
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