HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-05-13, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13,1992.
Udome & Qarcfon 1992
Portable ’Softubs’ latest wave in hot tub industry
BY LISA BOONSTOPPEL-POT
It's the latest wave in the pool
and spa industry-portable hot tubs.
They're called Softubs and are
sold in this area through L&J
Enterprises owned by Jim and
Laurie Brubacher of Walton.
Softubs are, as the name implies,
soft leather hot tubs which are com
pletely portable. When they're
empty, they weigh only 50 pounds
and because they're round, can be
rolled from outside to any room
inside a house.
Another unique feature of the
Softub is that it plugs into any basic
home electrical outlet. The plug
operates a one horse-power motor
which runs four jets and is also the
water heater.
"When you fill the tub, the water
is pumped around the motor and
the heat from the motor heats the
water," explained Mr. Brubacher.
Though the initial heat-up can take
up to 30 hours if the tub is filled
with cold water, once the water is
warm it stays warm with the help
of an insulating cover said Mr.
Brubacher.
"You set the thermostat to what
temperature you want and the
motor automatically kicks in and
out, but the tub is so well-insulated,
the motor rarely runs," he said.
The low-cost heating system and
portability were what attracted the
Brubachers to the Softub last year.
The couple used to own an
acrylic jacuzzi but found it was
never comfortable.
"We wanted a more comfortable
tub and one that was safer,"
revealed Mrs. Brubacher. The cou
ple have small children and were
impressed with the Softubs insulat
ing lid which is difficult for young
children to remove and tough
enough that it won't collapse when
walked upon.
The Softubs design and material
make-up are also safety features,
said Mrs. Brubacher.
"There are no hard edges to
bump your head on and there's not
much chance of slipping when you
step in."
This makes it very accessible for
older people who enjoy the thera
peutic action of a spa for arthritis
and body aches, she added.
The only thing Softubs seem to
have in common with traditionally
designed spas and hot tubs is the
price.
A four-person tub costs $2595
and comes in black, burgundy, grey
or tan. It can be ordered in 25 other
colours but then costs an extra
$300. Two-person Softubs are
$2395 and six-person tubs $2895.
But, say the Brubachers, people
should keep in mind that there are
no installation charges for the Soft-
ub. It just needs to be rolled into
the home and plugged in.
For the Brubachers, business is
just starting to heat up. They've
sold a couple Softubs and keep
busy marketing their product
through advertising and rentals.
They own two themselves, one of
which they rent for $150 per week
end and $200 per week
"When people rent them, it's usu
ally for a party so we find it's good
advertising because a lot of people
get to see them,"said Mr. Brubach
er.
To the Brubachers, the Softub
can be summed up in one word-
affordaportarelaxafun-evolving
from the tub's four great features:
affordable, portable, relaxation and
C New for 1992!
• Roses
• Perennials
• Dutch Bulbs
• Seeds
• Fertilizer
TUNE IN....
• VIDEO • STEREO • ANTENNAS
TWO-WAY RADIOS • SATELLITE DISHES
SALES & SERVICE
THE T.V. MAN
Located 1/2 way between Wingham and Listowel
Just off Hwy 86 sideroad 10 & 11
519-887-9472
In hot water
Jim Brubacher chats with wife Laurie while relaxing at home in his Softub, a portable hot-tub
which plugs into any basic electrical unit and requires no installation. Besides owning one, the
Brubachers also sell the unique tubs from their Walton home.
Ten pointers for antique buyers
We've all heard stories of
antiques collectors unearthing mil
lion dollar items at flea markets and
auctions. But what about the aver
age person who would like to own
furniture and furnishings with char
acter, charm and authenticity?
Despite the recent nationwide
surge of interest in antique furni
ture and decorative arts, many peo
ple simply don't feel confident
buying antiques.
Bernard Karr, owner of New
York's Hyde Park Antiques, Ameri
ca's foremost source for fine
English furniture and decorative
arts for the past 25 years, offers 10
tips that can help the novice collec
tor, as well as the experienced
buyer of antique furnishings, with
the fundamentals of determining
authenticity with increased confi
dence and peace of mind.
1. First, decide what it is that you
respond to, be it English, Ameri
can, or French. Concentrate on that
one style. Read everything you can
about it, look at the best examples
in museums, and buy what you
like.
One of the most important things
to remember in buying and collect
ing anything is that you must like
it. If you collect things just because
you think they'll increase in value,
you'll never enjoy the aesthetic
pleasure inherent in collecting,
i. 2. Handle objects. Especially in
* continued on page 28 1
I
Q/lood.9P zoduati
LUCKNOW
We have a fenced-in DISPLAY AREA back of our
store - BETTER SELECTION - BETTER DISPLAY
• Trees
• Fruit Trees
• Shrubs
VERBEEK'S
FARM & GARDEN CENTRE
- for all your lawn and garden needs
Isaac St. CLINTON 482-9333 y
Whether you're building or renovating, your
project requires a heating system to keep you
comfortable once winter has unleashed it's
fury The WatcrFurnacc,M System can warm
you this winter, cool you next summer and generate plenty
of hot water This geothermal (or ground source) system is
totally unaffected by atmospheric conditions since it transfers
the earth's energy' to and from your home.
(.all us for more information on this energy efficient product.
Geotheunal Heating & Cooling Systems
395-5642
Open This Weekend 9 AM - 8 PM
Wishing Wells - Planters
Trellis
Unique Gift Ideas In Our
Craft Shop Handcrafted by
Barb Harper.
Cliff's Plumbing &
Heating
LUCKNOW O/B Cliff Mann Mechanical
528-3913
ask about
below prime
financing
Enerflfar*< loan plan]
The EJectncity People \\\\ ... ■--1
financed by .the Scotiabank S