06-02-2025
Future unclear for animals at embattled Roseville aquarium chain after January sale thwarted
The future of SeaQuest, an interactive aquarium chain that recently filed for bankruptcy, is still undecided after it was not cleared for sale in court last week as proposed.
The Idaho-based company, which maintains five locations including one at Roseville's Rosedale Center, had requested an expedited motion to sell for $80,000 to Jeff Cox, the buyer for Z&A Management LLC, but the request was withdrawn, according to the court docket.
On Monday, Judge Benjamin P. Hursh ordered the appointment of a Chapter 11 Trustee to manage SeaQuest's estate. Once the trustee is appointed, they shall 'act quickly' to determine a number of things including the potential sale of SeaQuest's assets 'to Jeff Cox, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or other interested buyers,' according to court documents.
Animal rights activists who celebrated the quashed January sale now have a new concern: Where will the animals go?
PETA filed a brief last week objecting to the sale of the business to 'company insider' Jeff Cox, who is also part of Noveen Capital, which owns a 4% stake in SeaQuest, according to court records.
'From 2018 to the present, U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors have cited (SeaQuest's) various locations for at least 131 violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including filthy, infested, or dilapidated enclosures, failure to properly and safely handle animals, and failure to provide basic care or veterinary treatment to animals,' PETA's court filing states.
The only Minnesota location, SeaQuest Roseville, is currently home to animals including sea-dwelling fish, fresh water fish, stingrays, a Giant Pacific Octopus, a sloth, an otter, a Goldenchild Cow reticulated python and several birds, according to court documents.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted an investigation into SeaQuest Roseville and presented its findings to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office for prosecution review, which is still active and ongoing, Public Information Officer Dennis Gerhardstein said in an email last week.
SeaQuest did not immediately return a Pioneer Press request for comment.
Business | House DFL, Republicans reach power-sharing deal, ending struggle that stalled session
Business | After bankruptcy filing, embattled Roseville aquarium chain to potentially sell for $80K
Business | Made in St. Paul: Plastic trash becomes detail collaged portraits by 'junk art junkie' Sonja Dapper
Business | Former Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy sues for alleged sexual harassment
Business | 2025 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt medallion found at Roseville's Central Park
In regards to the appointment of a trustee, 'PETA welcomes this development and looks forward to working with the Chapter 11 Trustee to achieve the best possible outcomes for animals,' a spokesperson for the nonprofit said in an email Wednesday.
SeaQuest, which operates five total locations in California, Nevada, Utah and New Jersey in addition to Roseville, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December.
The aquarium chain reported over $15.2 million in revenue for 2023, a sharp decline from the $27.1 million it reported in 2022. According to the Dec. 2 bankruptcy filing, the company has at least $500,000 in assets and between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities.
