|
 |
|
|
|
 |
The original Modern Pool & Spa |
|
1974 -- THE BEGINNING
Modern Pool Supplies & Services (the store's original name) was opened in Starkville, Mississippi by Frank Wall during his senior year as a student at Mississippi State University. The original structure was an 8 x 8 foot metal building that contained a few chemicals, a couple of skimmer nets, a vacuum head, and maybe a wall brush or two. Frank spent his last year of school and the summer after graduation in Starkville doing pool construction and retail sales.
1975 -- THE MOVE TO COLUMBUS
Frank decided to move the store to Columbus, Mississippi which was a more central location for his market. He expanded the store into a 14 x 44 foot trailer, and was able to stock chemicals, maintenance equipment and other accessories for his growing number of customers. Each season as the number of customers grew, Frank offered patio furniture, umbrellas, a water analysis lab and even a newsletter. In early 1979, he hired and trained his first full-time employee to maintain, repair and clean pools for Modern Pool Supplies & Services' customers.
 |
The expanded Modern Pool & Spa of 1983 |
|
1980 -- A FAMILY BUSINESS
In 1980, Frank and Diane were married. Diane had been managing a large swimming pool retail store in Jackson for three years, and was very familiar with the industry. Together, they decided to further expand the store by offering computerized water analysis, expanded furniture and umbrella selections, and mailing the newsletter, "The Splash", to customers monthly.
1983 -- ANOTHER EXPANSION
By the winter of 1982, Modern Pool Supplies & Services was about to burst out of the 14 x 44 foot trailer. So, the store expanded into the old gas station next door to the trailer. Working hard that winter, tearing down and fixing up, Frank and the pool construction foreman turned a well-used gas station into a functional, spacious retail store. In January, 1983, Frank and Diane hired Sheila Parker to work with Diane in the expanded retail store. With the added space, they offered customers a larger, separate lab and chemical room, patio and poolside drinkware, even more patio furniture selections, and portable spas under a new company name: Modern Pool & Spa. By the end of 1983, the company's customers had grown to over 1200, and even the renovated gas station was becoming cramped.
|
Pool school held at Modern Pool & Spa's current locations keep customers informed on the lastest innovations. |
|
1984 -- A DREAM REALIZED
Back in 1980, Frank had purchased a lot on the Columbus Lock and Dam road, taking a first step toward fulfilling his dream of building a new retail store. In 1984, Frank and Diane built that new store on the lot across from University Mall and next to Goose Hollow Furniture. The new facility enabled them to modernize the water analysis lab, expanding to two testing stations with new graphic computers and the latest lab testing equipment. Chemicals were contained behind glass to prevent chemical fumes in the store. This larger expansion increased the store's display of portable and built-in spas, patio furniture, cushions, drinkware, umbrellas, and all pool and spa accessories and equipment. It also expanded the parts inventory to at least three times its previous size.
2000 -- THE TRADITION CONTINUES
The growth of Modern Pool & Spa has been steady and on-going. Through changes and expansions, Frank and Diane's commitment to their customers remains the same. Since founding the company they have been striving to provide the latest technology and the best selection in the pool industry. They continually strive to take the extra step in customer service through attending seminars on pool water chemistry, filter and pumps, heater and automatic cleaners, and the list goes on. They believe that the key to their success lies in their desire for state-of-the-art knowledge and training, their commitment to providing the best quality and professional service, and the customer's trust that has been built over the company's history. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
