Hank DeWaal III is a third generation owner of Connie’s Pond and Koi, a family business that traces its roots back to 1964, when his grandparents first took over the original Connie’s Tropical Fish shop in Oakland. Growing up in the store and managing it alongside his father since his early teens, Hank has spent his entire life immersed in the freshwater, saltwater, bird, and reptile retail sales… and now the pond and koi retail industry. After expanding into Castro Valley and eventually transitioning fully to ponds and koi in 2016, he transformed the business into a thriving destination for Japanese koi, pond plants, equipment, and expert guidance. Known for his hands-on approach and commitment to customer service, Hank continues to lead Connie’s Pond and Koi with the same passion his family started with, while adapting to modern retail and inspiring the next generation of pond enthusiasts.
When people ask how long I’ve been in the pond and koi business, I usually have to start way back in 1964. That’s when Connie’s Tropical Fish first opened. Connie was my grandfather’s brother’s wife, and though I never met her, she had quite a reputation for running a gem of a little shop. My […]
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