Home Delivery |
Contact Us |
Jobs |
Alerts |
News Archives |
Site map |
Log In |
Webmail |
Internet Services |
Mobile
Text size: 
Pleasure Pools diving into business
|
Tom and Mary Lou Wahl chose the Quad-Cities as the halfway point between their relatives in Minneapolis, Minn., and Cleveland, Ohio, back in 1978 when they began a business. Pleasure Pools and Spas got its start in their garage. "It was a lot of hard work over the years. It's still a lot of hard work," said their son Brian, who joined the business in 1992. His older brother Jim joined it in 1989. Pleasure Pools and Spas first moved from the family garage to a small store on Hickory Grove Road on the west side of Davenport, then moved up to the former Jugenheimer Motors building at 53rd and Brady streets 15 years ago. Five years ago, the Wahls built a new building at 4114 Brady St. "It was 2008. Everybody thought we were crazy, but it's worked out really good," said Brian Wahl.He added that over the years, the business has sold "thousands" of pools and spas. Sometimes people don't really know what they want or what will fit into their backyard, but he said the business has a saying -- "We can put a pool in any backyard." Sometimes customers are somewhat skeptical about the size of the pool, he said, but after it's done, "They're like, 'Holy cow! This is huge!' " "There aren't too many yards that can't get a pool," he said. Mr. Wahl noted swimming has become a popular form of exercise, and people are turning to water sports for rehab and cardio exercise. He said the 14-foot and 19-foot Michael Phelps Momentum Spa has had an impact on swimming's popularity. "It's the best exercise that puts the least strain on your body. If you're on a treadmill, you're putting strain on your knees. I'm not a doctor -- that's just what we're hearing from a lot of sources," Mr. Wahl said. Twenty years ago, the business offered just swimming pools and spas, but anyone who has visited the store on Brady Street can attest to the growth of Pleasure Pools and Spas. "We do so much more now. Patio furniture, billiard equipment, grills -- it's more recreational, not just pleasure pools and spas like it used to be," Mr. Wahl said. "Tanning beds and saunas are another huge health benefit. People buy those for losing weight." "We're still dreaming big," said Mr. Wahl. "We have future plans for expansion." For more information, call (563) 391-6612 or visit poolsonbrady.com. For more information, call (563) 391-6612 or visit poolsonbrady.com. 
|
|
 |
|
||
Colona, IL Details |
|||
Chocolate Syrup Brownies
(More recipes)
| (More Print Ads) |
Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood.
1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday.
1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.
(More History)