Hot tub dealers across the country have been expanding their retail footprint.
While the specific causes of the expansions vary, there exists a common thread among these business owners: More people are purchasing their products.
Georgia Spa Co. opened its fourth location — this one in Alpharetta — in November 2016. The retailer opened its first store in Buford in 2004. Locations in Athens and Kennesaw followed, respectively. The new store measures approximately 6,000 square feet, which is the same footprint as all of the other locations, except Athens.
“It’s been good,” said Josh Kemerling, general manager of Georgia Spa Co. “[We] finished the year strong.”
He points to the healthy economy following the Great Recession as a top motivator for opening the new showroom. “We feel like we’re on the back side of the Recession and really climbing out strong,” he said.
In addition to positive national economic factors, Kemerling notes that Alpharetta’s position as a high-income area with lots of new, large homes contributed to the decision to make it Georgia’s next showroom location. He feels that Alpharetta has the potential to eventually become the company’s No. 1 store.
Economic progress of another sort motivated the expansion of Seattle’s Olympic Hot Tub. After 23 years in the same location, the company is moving back to the shores of Lake Union, less than a mile from where the business originally stood when it first opened in 1977.
The area around Olympic’s current location is experiencing a massive boom, said Don Riling, president of Olympic Hot Tub. The retailer serves the area where internet powerhouses Amazon.com and Facebook reside. “Every single block around us is being developed,” Riling said. Unfortunately, that also includes the lot that Olympic was using as its customer parking facility. The big move is planned for the last week in April, and a Grand Opening event is scheduled for May 5-7.
The new facility measures 4,000 square feet — about 700 square feet larger than the current location. It includes 3,200 square feet of retail space and 800 square feet of office space. It also will house the company’s corporate offices.
Since business has been strong, Riling plans to maintain Olympic’s focus on health and wellness products, which may include adding swim spas to the company’s offerings once the move is complete.
When the moving boxes have all been unpacked and the test-soak tubs have been plugged in, Riling doesn’t plan to undertake another move for a very long time.
“We’re painfully consistent when it comes to occupancy,” Riling said. “I’m really hoping we’re set for the long-term.”
