Drivers heading east on 25A from Miller Place to Rocky Point will find it easy to spot pool service and supply stores, with a handful within a mile or two of each other.
With this Spring being the warmest ever on Long Island, business has been as high as the temperatures and customers are hurrying to get their pools ready for the season.
"Business has been ridiculous," said Robert Schmit, manager of in Miller Place. "We’re putting up record numbers on a weekly basis. Unless it turns into a rainy and cold summer, it’ll keep going."
The average temperature throughout this March, April and May was 54.1 degrees, while the typical average is 49 degrees. While this data only dates back to the mid-1980's, Memorial Day weekend was great primer for the summer, with temperatures regularly in the 80's.
Beth Pranzo of in Rocky Point pointed to not just the weather but a better economy as the impetus for great business.
"Business is better this year than last and I think that is due in part to the economy improving," Pranzo said. "Potential customers who had appointments and proposals last summer are now buying the pool and poolscapes. The warm spring weather hasn’t really impacted us on that account.
"Our history of being in one place for so long, with so many of the same staff, gives us a great deal of credibility."
While Arthur Edwards and Swim King Pools are considered the bigger stores, who also boast a lengthier history in the area, smaller stores like TLC Pools in Miller Place are still seeing an uptick in business. These stores now have even more competition to deal with after opened in the old Blockbuster location, joining an already crowded pool.
"Business has been good," said Alex Martorama, co-manager at TLC Pools. "When it comes to customer service that’s one way we get people to come back. Leslie's just opened up down the road ... getting new customers is probably more of a concern this year."
Representatives from Leslie's, which opened just in time for the season, declined comment for the story. Leslie's will have to compete with the many pool stores in the area that already boast established customer bases. For some, the new competition pushes them to work even harder to keep their customers and grab new ones as well.
"It’s the world of business," Pranzo said. "It makes us more competitive and anxious to shine. We’ve been here since 1974. Customers know we will be there for them for whatever their needs are."
Schmit, of Arthur Edwards, also pointed to the reputation as a reason these established stores are so confident.
"We’ve been here for over 30 years building 300 in-grounds plus a year, hot tubs, above-ground pools [and] we're also the largest protein dealer in the country," Schmit said. "If anything, the competition helps us."
Check our directory for a full, and lengthy, list of pool stores in the area.
