After declaring bankruptcy and failing to sell for a discounted price, interactive aquarium chain SeaQuest appears to have closed its Roseville location at Rosedale Center.

SeaQuest Roseville, which was investigated by state and federal agencies, no longer appears on the SeaQuest website and according to Google is “permanently closed.”

“Champagne corks are popping at PETA now that this blight on Roseville has finally stopped exploiting and endangering animals,” said Brittany Peet, general counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement at the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation, in a news release.

The Idaho-based aquarium chain filed for bankruptcy in December where it reported up to $1 million in assets and at least $10 million in liabilities. Bankruptcy court records also showed the aquarium chain had dropped its revenue from $27.1 million in 2022 to $15.2 million in 2023.

An August 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that SeaQuest Roseville kept animals in hazardous enclosures, failed to clean accumulated mouse feces and let animals go months without regular visits from a veterinarian, according to PETA.

Last month PETA filed a brief objecting to the sale of the business for $80,000 to “company insider” Jeff Cox, who through Noveen Capital, owns a 4% stake in SeaQuest, according to court records.

The motion to sell was withdrawn in January and earlier this month the judge ordered the appointment of a Chapter 11 Trustee to manage SeaQuest’s estate.

“The surviving animals at SeaQuest Roseville must be transferred to accredited facilities where they can finally get the care they need and deserve. Management at Rosedale Center must ensure that no other animal-abusing business takes its place,” said Aaron Zellhoefer, Minnesota state director of Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, in a statement.

A Pioneer Press request for comment was not immediately returned from SeaQuest or the Rosedale Center.

Related Articles

Future unclear for animals at embattled Roseville aquarium chain after January sale thwarted

House DFL, Republicans reach power-sharing deal, ending struggle that stalled session

After bankruptcy filing, embattled Roseville aquarium chain to potentially sell for $80K

Made in St. Paul: Plastic trash becomes detail collaged portraits by ‘junk art junkie’ Sonja Dapper

Former Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy sues for alleged sexual harassment