(WXYZ) — It's not every day that you get to see someone's dream realized, but this coming Monday, April 21, you can. The late Brian Barczyk – the Macomb County animal enthusiast who inspired millions on social media and shared his pancreatic cancer battle with me and so many others – dreamed of opening an aquarium.
His legacy, the all-new LegaSea Aquarium and The Reptarium in Utica, is opening to the public on Monday. His widow Lori Barczyk and her team gave me a tour on the eve of the opening.
Watch below: Macomb County man known for his love of animals inspires fans
Lori took me through one-on-one, starting in The Reptarium feeding the turtles, then finding snakes like "Ivy" the anaconda and "Dottie" - a playful python.
There are also vampire crabs, tarantulas, monitor lizards, and even a blue-tongued skink, plus fan favorites like "Salt" the albino alligator.
I also loved diving into the new LegaSea Aquarium. It has glow tanks, turkey fish, lobsters, even a leopard eel. People will also have a chance to pet a sting ray!
Guests will certainly marvel at the massive shark tank that will soon hold several reef sharks.
Almost every day the facility receives a new shipment of fish!
Watch below: Owner of The Reptarium in Utica asking for donations for aquarium after cancer diagnosis
The transition into a new home is always a delicate one, and the staff handles each arrival with care.
The 30,000-square-foot facility has been a major undertaking for Lori Barczyk — a feat from start to finish.
The gigantic arch tank was the first one Brian and Lori bought when the aquarium was just a dream he shared with his 17 million social media followers — fans who also rooted for him as he was bravely battling pancreatic cancer. Sadly, he died in January 2024 at the age of 54 while the aquarium was still under construction.
Watch below: Brian Barczyk, owner of The Reptarium, dies after battle with pancreatic cancer
“As you're seeing these tanks be filled, the fish swimming around, what goes through your mind?” I asked Lori.
“Oh gosh, I mean there's a variety of feelings and emotions," she said. "Obviously, there's sadness because Brian's supposed to be here. But it's really, really good because, you know, we did it.”
And that spirit is reflected in the aquarium's motto – "We're not just a zoo, we're a dream come true."
Lori wants to thank the community for their support and donations. She said she couldn't have done it without help and her amazing team, which is 60 employees strong.
The LegaSea Aquariumopens to the public on Monday, April 21, 2025. It will be open 7 days a week, eight hours a day.
