Biomes Outgrows Its Shell, Planning Move to Post Road

and his friends over at are on up – literally and figuratively. This fall, New England’s only private marine education facility will move from its home nestled behind the up to the old

Though Biomes’ current location has served owner Mark Hall well since 1997, the 1,700 sq. ft. facility (like the hermit crabs found at the aquarium) has outgrown its shell. After seeing great success when he began to open it to the public a few years ago, Hall decided it was time to relocate.

When Hall and his bounty of marine friends move into the former Gable House Furniture building, he promises there will be “nothing else like it.” And with 10,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space to put to use on the main level, Hall already has the entire layout planned out.

The new layout features an admissions desk and orientation area for schools, a giant mangrove tank filled with marine life serving as the aquarium’s focal point, a gift shop, a stage where instructors will hold lectures and lessons (including the always popular puffer fish demonstration), a waiting area and even a track for hermit crab races. The new facility will also offer food and feature picnic tables for attendees and schools to use on their visits. Hall anticipates that he will have at least 100 exhibits running when the move is complete sometime in the fall.

Biomes’ unique setup and hands-on experience has made it a destination for visitors around the region, with students from Massachusetts and Connecticut along with marine-life lovers from as far as New York making the trek.

“A lot of people are worried that I’m going to get away from that. My philosophy and format is going to be the same, just on a bigger scale.”

That growth also extends to the aquarium’s shark tank – a fan favorite for visitors of all ages. Hall’s current tank is only about six feet across, but the new one is slated to be eight feet by 16 feet, allowing Biomes to the sharks longer and even get larger ones. It will also allow the sharks to have a bit more “fin” room.

“The sharks are going to love that,” said Hall.

One of the biggest changes that comes along with the move will be extended hours as Hall plans to keep the aquarium open six days a week to the public. Currently, Biomes is only open to the public on Sundays. (He plans to reserve Saturdays for private functions such as birthday parties.) The larger facility will also allow him to host more visitors and school field trips.

“I’ve had to turn people away because we don’t have the space,” said Hall. “It kills me.”

The new location on Post Road will also offer something that Shady Lea doesn’t – roadside exposure. Hall estimates that the new location and the larger space will attract 60,000 to 70,000 visitors per year. He adds that it won’t just be good business for him, but also for his new neighbors on the Post Road Corridor – an area of town hard hit by the economic climate.

“People outside of town have absolutely no reason to come to this stretch of North Kingstown, aside from getting to the air show,” said Hall. “Having us here will hopefully be a benefit to businesses up here.”

Biomes’ projected grand opening is slated for the fall. In the interim, the Shady Lea location will remain open until September 1.

Follow Biomes on Facebook for updates on the move.