Zoo-Tropic Exotics

After 3 or 4 trips to this store I have a pretty good idea of how to evaluate this store. It's easily one of the top Exotics Pet Stores in the Chicago Suburbs. I think it's got room to grow for sure but the bones are here for growth to being the best in state. (I didn't stutter, this store swings for the fences and can dance with the best of them in Chicago.)
This store actually tries to focus on only reptiles, amphibians and some arachnids, insects and other such creepy crawlers. The owner is doing it all pretty much alone yet his displays are arguably the best in Chicago. I would go so far as to suggest that he could start his own zoo like Snake Discovery as his drive to give his creatures excellent lives is clear in his dedication and precision to creating better enclosures. His enclosures are easily the most creative and nuanced I've seen in a pet shop. He has made me want to build enclosures myself.
His exotic selection is excellent and often better than any competing business. I have purchased 3 of his snakes in the last year and all have been healthy, and active additions to our home. I want to buy his whip tail scorpions too as they were the calmest ones I've seen. He's just legitimately trying to share his love of animals and keep the lights on.
Stop by and be prepared to see some animals you can't find at other pet shops. Just be warned, Steven is legitimately a good person and between him chatting to you and his critters bewitching you, you're going to go home with a light wallet and dreams of the future with your new little friend.
Oh, and don't forget that if you have a little one interested in reptiles you can have him teach them as I believe he offers guided tours of his shop as well as birthday parties with safe, calm animals from his personal collection. He can better do this with advanced notice as some days he has 2 or 3 kids begging to see and hold the animals. I saw this in person, I'm not his ad agent. I'm merely jealous that he's somehow doing this.
There ya go Steven, I waited to review you until I was sure you were who you seemed. 5 stars enough for you?

Great experience on a Saturday some 3-4 weekends ago. My daughter and I had been looking around for probably a year or so decided which reptile. Owner is chill and relaxed guy who obviously care about animals. He helped us decide on BTS and the guy/girl has been amazing.

I have went on countless journeys visiting as many reptile shops as we can in many states, but Zootropic Exotics was one of the many we went to located in and around Chicago that stood out the most and is byfar the best organized store and varied selection of reptiles I've been to in Illinois . I adopted my second blue tongue skink from here and his/her temperament is impeccable. I can tell from their behaviour they were well loved during their time at the store.

Wow! Great customer service and awesome reptile shop!! Purchased a beautiful uromastyx today. Owner was very helpful and knowledgeable! You can tell he knows his stuff and cares about all the reptiles in his shop. We will definitely be there a lot for our reptile needs! Thanks Zoo Tropic Exotics!

It was really great at the grand opening of Zoo-Tropic Exotics today! Steve and Tim were super friendly - showed us around and answered all the questions we had. My daughter (four year old) loved the turtle pool - which is a definite highlight of the store. She really enjoyed time around a HUGE tortoise walking around the store! Zoo-Tropic Exotics have a great selection of pets - lizards, snakes, spiders, bugs and even a guinea pig! We spent quiet some time looking at their Uromastyx's - they have several of different types and sizes! I was looking for a larger hide and a heavier bowl for my tegu and was able to find exactly what I needed. I will be using Zoo-Tropic Exotics for my general lizard-keeping needs going forward!