Actually...
In the St. John's area , Rain Forest Pets,there is one store the specializes in Herps, Parrots and other exotics, as well as a large Pets Unlimited that has herps ( though not where I would buy mine), the Pet Citys in the city have herps and exotics as well.
There is a pretty active herp community as well... as for the bought from a friend of a friend thats just not true at all, as well as several other potions of your post, myself and ALL my circle of friends work, live and play in Newfoundland 52 weeks of the year.
I don't know why you would doubt there were many petstores here, as you were here yourself, but on a quick scan of the phonebook sitting next to me here I count 60+ pet and pet related stores just in the St. John's area....
Perhaps you should check into some stuff before hand??
Matt... where and what were you planning on opening? Drop me a line at
coryb@saltwaterreptiles.com, would love to hear about it