Aqua Clear Hot Tubs announces its new showroom and warehouse in Bend. At 6000 square feet, half of it is a modern, welcoming space filled with products customers can see, touch, and even experience.
“It's the largest showroom for hot tubs, saunas, and swim spas in central Oregon,” says Christian Zundel, chief financial officer and one of its owners. “Historically, we have been in Sisters and did really well with the Black Butte crowd, but Bend is a population that's 10 times the size of Sisters. Now it's more convenient for those here looking to shop or to just get everyday things like chemicals or do water testing.”
One thing he and co-owners Jared and Mackenzie Fillmore are most excited about is the unveiling of the demo deck at the new showroom. “This deck is going to go around a swim spa that has an automated cover,” says Zundel. “There's going to be a television behind that on the wall, and then a large built-in hot tub with some patio furniture and a big built-up display.”
This way, customers can see what these items might look like in their own backyards. Not only will they be able to see the display, this demo deck will also give customers the chance to test out the swim spa by actually swimming in it. “It's going to be the only place in town where people can schedule a demo and test out a swim spa product.” To provide a complete experience, beverages will also be served.
Swim spas are in high demand in the Bend area. Zundel notes that some people want them for recreation and to enjoy with their kids or grandkids. Others are true athletes who use them like a home gym.
“They make a lot of sense in central Oregon because the cost to build a regular pool can be a quarter million to half a million dollars for something that's going to be open for about two months. People are pivoting from pools and realizing that swim spas are better suited to their needs.”
Hot tubs and saunas are also quite popular in the area. “I’m not sure if this is a true statistic, but I was told a couple of years ago that per capita, Central Oregon had the highest Google rate for buying a hot tub,” Zundel states.
The reasons for this are varied. The temperate weather plays a part, as does the preference for being outdoors. “A hot tub is a convenient way for people to get out of their house and spend time in a very comfortable setting,” he says. “It's a lot less work than heading out to the lake or hot springs.”
While some people like the solitary aspect of sitting in a hot tub while reading a book, looking at the stars, and enjoying some peace and quiet, others love connecting with significant others or groups of friends and family in a relaxing setting.
“A lot of people are getting spas for medical reasons as well,” notes Zundel. “We do have an older population here, and we've started to work with massage therapists and chiropractors in town. We’re getting people with neck injuries, lower back pain, sciatic and other issues who are looking for hot tubs, saunas, and cold plunge pools.”
When it comes to saunas, Aqua Clear Hot Tubs is still the only company in the area to offer traditional Finnish saunas made by Finlandia. “Finlandia is the oldest sauna company in the nation,” Zundel states. “The company is family owned, and its high-quality saunas are made close by in Portland, Oregon.”
Many of their saunas are purchased by general contractors building custom homes, but plenty of homeowners also buy them to place on their patios and decks or in an existing bathroom.
“Another sauna product that we've started carrying is infrared saunas. Not only do people enjoy the therapeutic effects of the heat, but infrared saunas also offer skin and beauty benefits.”
Since Aqua Clear Hot Tubs can provide all the maintenance for its products, it also makes owning them easy. “We are primarily a service company, so we end up servicing 50% or more of the spas that we sell,” states Zundel.
The company also offers what they call “white glove service.” A large number of their customers are buying these products for a second home, so they might not live in the area. This can make it difficult for them to find the best general contractor or electrician.
“They'll come in and tell us what they want to do, and we'll coordinate with the general contractors and the electricians so when a client gets back to their house, everything is good to go,” he says. “We facilitate everything and make it really seamless.”
To learn more, visit the new showroom in Bend or the flagship Sisters location.
AquaClearHotTubs.com