diff --git a/src/ngio/core/image_handler.py b/src/ngio/core/image_handler.py
index 6ceb486..e2759de 100644
--- a/src/ngio/core/image_handler.py
+++ b/src/ngio/core/image_handler.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 from ngio.core.image_like_handler import ImageLike
 from ngio.core.roi import WorldCooROI
-from ngio.io import StoreOrGroup
+from ngio.io import AccessModeLiteral, StoreOrGroup
 from ngio.ngff_meta import PixelSize
 from ngio.ngff_meta.fractal_image_meta import ImageMeta
 from ngio.utils._common_types import ArrayLike
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ def __init__(
         highest_resolution: bool = False,
         strict: bool = True,
         cache: bool = True,
+        mode: AccessModeLiteral = "r+",
         label_group: Any = None,
     ) -> None:
         """Initialize the the Image Object.
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ def __init__(
         strict (bool): Whether to raise an error where a pixel size is not found
             to match the requested "pixel_size".
         cache (bool): Whether to cache the metadata.
+        mode (AccessModeLiteral): The mode to open the group in.
         label_group: The group containing the labels.
         """
         super().__init__(
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ def __init__(
             strict=strict,
             meta_mode="image",
             cache=cache,
+            mode=mode,
             _label_group=label_group,
         )
 
diff --git a/src/ngio/core/image_like_handler.py b/src/ngio/core/image_like_handler.py
index 0586b47..ca560b2 100644
--- a/src/ngio/core/image_like_handler.py
+++ b/src/ngio/core/image_like_handler.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 from ngio.core.dimensions import Dimensions
 from ngio.core.roi import WorldCooROI
 from ngio.core.utils import Lock
-from ngio.io import StoreOrGroup, open_group_wrapper
+from ngio.io import AccessModeLiteral, StoreOrGroup, open_group_wrapper
 from ngio.ngff_meta import (
     Dataset,
     ImageLabelMeta,
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ def __init__(
         strict: bool = True,
         meta_mode: Literal["image", "label"] = "image",
         cache: bool = True,
+        mode: AccessModeLiteral = "r+",
         _label_group: Any = None,
     ) -> None:
         """Initialize the MultiscaleHandler in read mode.
@@ -63,8 +64,9 @@ def __init__(
         if not strict:
             warn("Strict mode is not fully supported yet.", UserWarning, stacklevel=2)
 
+        self._mode = mode
         if not isinstance(store, zarr.Group):
-            store = open_group_wrapper(store=store, mode="r+")
+            store = open_group_wrapper(store=store, mode=self._mode)
 
         self._group = store
 
@@ -99,11 +101,11 @@ def _init_dataset(self, dataset: Dataset) -> None:
         This method is for internal use only.
         """
         self._dataset = dataset
+        self._array = self._group.get(self._dataset.path, None)
 
-        if self._dataset.path not in self._group.array_keys():
+        if self._array is None:
             raise ValueError(f"Dataset {self._dataset.path} not found in the group.")
 
-        self._array = self._group[self.dataset.path]
         self._diminesions = Dimensions(
             on_disk_shape=self._array.shape,
             axes_names=self._dataset.axes_names,
diff --git a/src/ngio/core/label_handler.py b/src/ngio/core/label_handler.py
index 8fe678c..b694ee4 100644
--- a/src/ngio/core/label_handler.py
+++ b/src/ngio/core/label_handler.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ def __init__(
         highest_resolution: bool = False,
         strict: bool = True,
         cache: bool = True,
+        mode: AccessModeLiteral = "r+",
         label_group: Any = None,
     ) -> None:
         """Initialize the the Label Object.
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ def __init__(
         strict (bool): Whether to raise an error where a pixel size is not found
             to match the requested "pixel_size".
         cache (bool): Whether to cache the metadata.
+        mode (AccessModeLiteral): The mode to open the group in.
         label_group: The group containing the labels.
         """
         super().__init__(
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@ def __init__(
             strict=strict,
             meta_mode="label",
             cache=cache,
+            mode=mode,
             _label_group=label_group,
         )
 
@@ -216,19 +219,22 @@ def __init__(
         if not isinstance(group, zarr.Group):
             group = zarr.open_group(group, mode=self._mode)
 
-        if "labels" not in group:
-            self._group = group.create_group("labels")
-            self._group.attrs["labels"] = []  # initialize the labels attribute
-        else:
-            self._group = group["labels"]
-            assert isinstance(self._group, zarr.Group)
+        label_group = group.get("labels", None)
+        if label_group is None and not group.read_only:
+            label_group = group.create_group("labels")
+            label_group.attrs["labels"] = []  # initialize the labels attribute
+
+        assert isinstance(label_group, zarr.Group) or label_group is None
+        self._label_group = label_group
 
         self._image_ref = image_ref
         self._metadata_cache = cache
 
     def list(self) -> list[str]:
         """List all labels in the group."""
-        _labels = self._group.attrs.get("labels", [])
+        if self._label_group is None:
+            return []
+        _labels = self._label_group.attrs.get("labels", [])
         assert isinstance(_labels, list)
         return _labels
 
@@ -259,6 +265,9 @@ def get_label(
             highest_resolution (bool, optional): Whether to get the highest
                 resolution level
         """
+        if self._label_group is None:
+            raise ValueError("No labels found in the group.")
+
         if name not in self.list():
             raise ValueError(f"Label {name} not found in the group.")
 
@@ -266,7 +275,7 @@ def get_label(
             highest_resolution = False
 
         return Label(
-            store=self._group[name],
+            store=self._label_group[name],
             path=path,
             pixel_size=pixel_size,
             highest_resolution=highest_resolution,
@@ -287,17 +296,20 @@ def derive(
                 Default is False.
             **kwargs: Additional keyword arguments to pass to the new label.
         """
+        if self._label_group is None:
+            raise ValueError("Cannot derive a new label. Group is empty or read-only.")
+
         list_of_labels = self.list()
 
         if overwrite and name in list_of_labels:
-            self._group.attrs["label"] = [
+            self._label_group.attrs["label"] = [
                 label for label in list_of_labels if label != name
             ]
         elif not overwrite and name in list_of_labels:
             raise ValueError(f"Label {name} already exists in the group.")
 
         # create the new label
-        new_label_group = self._group.create_group(name, overwrite=overwrite)
+        new_label_group = self._label_group.create_group(name, overwrite=overwrite)
 
         if self._image_ref is None:
             label_0 = self.get_label(list_of_labels[0])
@@ -349,5 +361,5 @@ def derive(
         )
 
         if name not in self.list():
-            self._group.attrs["labels"] = [*list_of_labels, name]
+            self._label_group.attrs["labels"] = [*list_of_labels, name]
         return self.get_label(name)
diff --git a/src/ngio/core/ngff_image.py b/src/ngio/core/ngff_image.py
index 4c282f6..38bbf78 100644
--- a/src/ngio/core/ngff_image.py
+++ b/src/ngio/core/ngff_image.py
@@ -23,12 +23,17 @@ def __init__(
         self.store = store
         self._mode = mode
         self.group = open_group_wrapper(store=store, mode=self._mode)
+
+        if self.group.read_only:
+            self._mode = "r"
+
         self._image_meta = get_ngff_image_meta_handler(
             self.group, meta_mode="image", cache=cache
         )
         self._metadata_cache = cache
         self.table = TableGroup(self.group, mode=self._mode)
         self.label = LabelGroup(self.group, image_ref=self.get_image(), mode=self._mode)
+
         ngio_logger.info(f"Opened image located in store: {store}")
         ngio_logger.info(f"- Image number of levels: {self.num_levels}")
 
@@ -76,8 +81,9 @@ def get_image(
             path=path,
             pixel_size=pixel_size,
             highest_resolution=highest_resolution,
-            label_group=LabelGroup(self.group, image_ref=None),
+            label_group=LabelGroup(self.group, image_ref=None, mode=self._mode),
             cache=self._metadata_cache,
+            mode=self._mode,
         )
         ngio_logger.info(f"Opened image at path: {image.path}")
         ngio_logger.info(f"- {image.dimensions}")
diff --git a/src/ngio/io/_zarr_group_utils.py b/src/ngio/io/_zarr_group_utils.py
index dd2de9b..59efef7 100644
--- a/src/ngio/io/_zarr_group_utils.py
+++ b/src/ngio/io/_zarr_group_utils.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 
+import fsspec
 import zarr
 
 from ngio.io._zarr import (
@@ -22,8 +23,14 @@ def _check_store(store: StoreLike) -> StoreLike:
     if isinstance(store, str) or isinstance(store, Path):
         return store
 
+    if isinstance(store, fsspec.mapping.FSMap) or isinstance(
+        store, zarr.storage.FSStore
+    ):
+        return store
+
     raise NotImplementedError(
-        "RemoteStore is not yet supported. Please use LocalStore."
+        f"Store type {type(store)} is not supported. supported types are: "
+        "str, Path, fsspec.mapping.FSMap, zarr.storage.FSStore"
     )
 
 
diff --git a/src/ngio/tables/tables_group.py b/src/ngio/tables/tables_group.py
index 45bdb70..6468fe2 100644
--- a/src/ngio/tables/tables_group.py
+++ b/src/ngio/tables/tables_group.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 
 from ngio.io import AccessModeLiteral, StoreLike
 from ngio.tables.v1 import FeatureTableV1, MaskingROITableV1, ROITableV1
+from ngio.utils import ngio_logger
 from ngio.utils._pydantic_utils import BaseWithExtraFields
 
 ROITable = ROITableV1
@@ -95,22 +96,38 @@ def __init__(
         if not isinstance(group, zarr.Group):
             group = zarr.open_group(group, mode=self._mode)
 
-        if "tables" not in group:
-            self._group = group.create_group("tables")
-        else:
-            self._group: zarr.Group = group["tables"]
+        table_group = group.get("tables", None)
+
+        if table_group is None and not group.read_only:
+            table_group = group.create_group("tables")
+            table_group.attrs["tables"] = []
+
+        assert isinstance(table_group, zarr.Group) or table_group is None
+        self._table_group = table_group
 
     def _validate_list_of_tables(self, list_of_tables: list[str]) -> None:
-        """Validate the list of tables."""
-        list_of_groups = list(self._group.group_keys())
+        """Validate the list of tables.
+
+        Args:
+            list_of_tables (list[str]): The list of tables to validate.
+        """
+        if self._table_group is None:
+            return None
 
         for table_name in list_of_tables:
-            if table_name not in list_of_groups:
-                raise ValueError(f"Table {table_name} not found in the group.")
+            table = self._table_group.get(table_name, None)
+            if table is None:
+                ngio_logger.warning(
+                    f"Table {table_name} not found in the group. "
+                    "Consider removing it from the list of tables."
+                )
 
     def _get_list_of_tables(self) -> list[str]:
         """Return the list of tables."""
-        list_of_tables = self._group.attrs.get("tables", [])
+        if self._table_group is None:
+            return []
+
+        list_of_tables = self._table_group.attrs.get("tables", [])
         self._validate_list_of_tables(list_of_tables)
         assert isinstance(list_of_tables, list)
         assert all(isinstance(table_name, str) for table_name in list_of_tables)
@@ -127,6 +144,9 @@ def list(
                 If None, all tables are listed.
                 Allowed values are: 'roi_table', 'feature_table', 'masking_roi_table'.
         """
+        if self._table_group is None:
+            return []
+
         list_of_tables = self._get_list_of_tables()
         self._validate_list_of_tables(list_of_tables=list_of_tables)
         if table_type is None:
@@ -140,7 +160,7 @@ def list(
                 )
             list_of_typed_tables = []
             for table_name in list_of_tables:
-                table = self._group[table_name]
+                table = self._table_group[table_name]
                 try:
                     common_meta = CommonMeta(**table.attrs)
                     if common_meta.type == table_type:
@@ -173,12 +193,15 @@ def get_table(
                 This is usually defined in the metadata of the table, if given here,
                 it will overwrite the metadata.
         """
+        if self._table_group is None:
+            raise ValueError("No tables group found in the group.")
+
         list_of_tables = self._get_list_of_tables()
         if name not in list_of_tables:
             raise ValueError(f"Table {name} not found in the group.")
 
         return _get_table_impl(
-            group=self._group[name],
+            group=self._table_group[name],
             validate_metadata=validate_metadata,
             table_type=table_type,
             validate_table=validate_table,
@@ -194,6 +217,9 @@ def new(
         **type_specific_kwargs: dict,
     ) -> Table:
         """Add a new table to the group."""
+        if self._table_group is None:
+            raise ValueError("No tables group found in the group.")
+
         list_of_tables = self._get_list_of_tables()
         if not overwrite and name in list_of_tables:
             raise ValueError(f"Table {name} already exists in the group.")
@@ -203,13 +229,13 @@ def new(
 
         table_impl = _find_table_impl(table_type=table_type, version=version)
         new_table = table_impl._new(
-            parent_group=self._group,
+            parent_group=self._table_group,
             name=name,
             overwrite=overwrite,
             **type_specific_kwargs,
         )
 
-        self._group.attrs["tables"] = [*list_of_tables, name]
+        self._table_group.attrs["tables"] = [*list_of_tables, name]
 
         assert isinstance(new_table, ROITable | FeatureTable | MaskingROITable)
         return new_table
diff --git a/tests/core/conftest.py b/tests/core/conftest.py
index 51027d2..9f07257 100644
--- a/tests/core/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/core/conftest.py
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 from importlib.metadata import version
 from pathlib import Path
 
+import fsspec
+import fsspec.implementations.http
 import zarr
 from packaging.version import Version
 from pytest import fixture
@@ -11,7 +13,7 @@
 
 
 @fixture
-def ome_zarr_image_v04_path(tmpdir):
+def ome_zarr_image_v04_path(tmpdir: str) -> Path:
     zarr_path = Path(tmpdir) / "test_ome_ngff_v04.zarr"
 
     if ZARR_PYTHON_V == 3:
@@ -37,3 +39,12 @@ def ome_zarr_image_v04_path(tmpdir):
             group.zeros(name=path, shape=shape)
 
     return zarr_path
+
+
+@fixture
+def ome_zarr_image_v04_fs() -> fsspec.mapping.FSMap:
+    fs = fsspec.implementations.http.HTTPFileSystem(client_kwargs={})
+    store = fs.get_mapper(
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fractal-analytics-platform/fractal-tasks-core/refs/heads/main/tests/data/plate_ones.zarr/B/03/0/"
+    )
+    return store
diff --git a/tests/core/test_image_like_handler.py b/tests/core/test_image_like_handler.py
index 7b44eb3..5b44b61 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_image_like_handler.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_image_like_handler.py
@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
 import pytest
 
 
 class TestImageLikeHandler:
-    def test_ngff_image(self, ome_zarr_image_v04_path):
+    def test_ngff_image(self, ome_zarr_image_v04_path: Path) -> None:
         import numpy as np
 
         from ngio.core.image_like_handler import ImageLike
 
-        image_handler = ImageLike(store=ome_zarr_image_v04_path, path="0")
+        store = ome_zarr_image_v04_path
+        image_handler = ImageLike(store=store, path="0")
 
         assert image_handler.path == "0"
         assert image_handler.pixel_size.zyx == (1.0, 0.1625, 0.1625)
@@ -35,11 +38,29 @@ def test_ngff_image(self, ome_zarr_image_v04_path):
 
         image_handler._consolidate(order=0)
 
-        image_handler_1 = ImageLike(store=ome_zarr_image_v04_path, path="1")
+        image_handler_1 = ImageLike(store=store, path="1")
         assert image_handler_1._get_array(c=0, t=0, z=0, x=0, y=0) == 1
 
+    def test_ngff_image_fs(self, ome_zarr_image_v04_fs: Path) -> None:
+        from ngio.core.image_like_handler import ImageLike
+
+        store = ome_zarr_image_v04_fs
+        image_handler = ImageLike(store=store, path="0")
+
+        assert image_handler.path == "0"
+        assert image_handler.pixel_size.zyx == (1.0, 0.1625, 0.1625)
+        assert image_handler.axes_names == ["c", "z", "y", "x"]
+        assert image_handler.space_axes_names == ["z", "y", "x"]
+        assert image_handler.dimensions.shape == (2, 2, 4320, 2560)
+        shape = image_handler.dimensions.shape
+        assert image_handler.shape == shape
+        assert image_handler.dimensions.z == 2
+        assert image_handler.is_3d
+        assert not image_handler.is_time_series
+        assert image_handler.is_multi_channels
+
     @pytest.mark.skip("Not implemented yet")
-    def test_ngff_image_from_pixel_size(self, ome_zarr_image_v04_path):
+    def test_ngff_image_from_pixel_size(self, ome_zarr_image_v04_path: Path) -> None:
         from ngio.core.image_like_handler import ImageLike
         from ngio.ngff_meta import PixelSize