The oldest pool business in Williamsport started 42 years ago.
Aquarius Pool and Patio, 170 Pine St., has been a family owned and operated business since it opened. Gene Schurer founded and still owns the business.
One of the reasons for success, Schurer said, is the constant search for improvement. Employees attend seminars to stay updated about the newest technologies in the pool and patio business.
"We started using salt water pools ten years ago," Schurer said. "Now it's popular. How it works is you put salt in and it turns to chlorine."
Another way the business has survived for more than four decades is a low turnover rate. Twenty-five employees work at Aquarius Pool and Patio.
"People retire from here," Schurer said. "We have the answers for the questions you ask."
The summer's heat helped make this year the busiest year for the company, according to Schurer.
The influx of gas workers also contributed to the successful year with purchases in both the chemical end and the accessory end.
Aquarius Pool and Patio also stocks accessories for the backyard. They sell garden accessories, fountains, bird baths, and umbrellas.
"We put the fun in your backyard," Pam Schurer-Keefer, general manager, said. "Anything you need for your outdoors, we can probably get it."
The business is more than just in-ground and above-ground pools, however.
Aquarius Pool and Patio has the largest walk-in humidor in Central Pennsylvania called The Tobacco Center. The tobacco center offers a wide variety of cigar and tobacco products such as cigars, pipes, blended tobacco, humidors, ashtrays, and lighters. There are also more than 50 major brands of popular cigars.
Another feature the business boasts is The Grape Vine, which specializes in beer and wine making equipment.
"We have all of the wine accessories you need for drinking and making wine," Schurer-Keefer said.
Another specialty section of the store is Best Seats in the House. A collection of American made indoor furniture comes from a variety of elite manufacturers. Options available are leather, contemporary, or traditional living room furniture. In addition, Best Seats specializes in bar stools, with one of the largest selections in the area.
"We don't carry the same furniture other people do," Schurer said.
From November to February, Aquarius Pool and Patio transforms into Enchanted Christmasland.
Year-round, the business sells Christmas lights, but starting in September, the changeover begins. There are 25 themed trees, such as Victorian trees with ornaments.
In October, Aquarius Pool and Patio hosts an open house for Enchanted Christmasland.
"We bake cookies and play Christmas music on the organ," Schurer-Keefer said. "It's less than 60 days away. We're already starting to get our Christmas items in."
Some of what they will receive will be unbreakable ornaments, collectible decorations, and specially colored lights.
