By Ron VandenBoom
Youre tired, youre sore, and youve been chilled to the bone by a blistering Montana winter.
Enthusiastically you slide into the warm swirling water of your very own hot tub. In minutes you begin to feel the soothing relief and relaxing sensation of pulsating water massaging your tired muscles.
Before long your energy returns, your aches and pains abate, now youre ready to once again tackle life.
Its a feeling Wes and Kelly Kohler know well. A feeling they have enjoyed so much they decided to become Havres first hot tub dealers.
Mountain Spring Spas are made in Stevensville. It is a company that, according to Wes Kohler, started with only two employees and today ships 50 tubs a week out of Montana.
Kohler said he had used several other brands of spas before trying the Mountain Spring Spa.
We were real happy with it, he said, and figured if we were happy with it maybe somebody else would be. So they contacted the company and arranged to become dealers.
It all pretty much took place two weeks before the fair, Kohler said, explaining that the owner of the company thought having a booth at the fair would be a great opportunity to spring right into business. And spring they did.
We had a good fair, Kohler said. We sold six units at the fair. Were just really, really pleased with the support of the community. It seems to be something thats really wanted.
Kelly Kohler said she also was impressed by the reaction of the people.
A lot of people like that it was locally owned, she said about the business. Were here to serve them if they have problems or questions. They dont have to call long distance and wait days for service. People like that.
The service offered by the Kohlers includes a complete line of all the chemicals tub owners need, installation of the tub, and free delivery.
The only thing the home owner needs to do is provide the electrical service to the tub.
I will hook it up, Wes Kohler said, but they need to have a licensed electrician come in and prepare the wiring.
But all of the service in the world cant compensate for poor quality or high prices.
The quality of this tub for the amount of money people are going to be shocked, Kohler said.
Prices on the tubs start as low as $2,895 for a three-person tub and go up to $5,495 for what Kohler calls the monster-size tub that seats up to 9 people. They also come in a variety of colors and styles and the number of water jets can also vary depending on the needs of the customer.
The reason Kohlers prices can be kept so competitive is low overhead and low shipping costs.
Customers dont have to pay freight charges to get the tubs here from California, and Kohler is not paying several hundred dollars a month in rent and utilities for a storefront business.
An area in the back of their garage has been set up as a showroom for up to four tubs, and catalogs and brochures will, for the time being, show customers the variety and versatility of the product.
Thus we can pass the savings on to our customers, Kohler said.
But why should anyone want to invest in a Spa?
It takes the tension off and the stress, Kelly Kohler said, citing just one of the reasons. If youre really wore out, it will help relax you and youll sleep a lot better. Even our kids do.
Wes Kohler cites an additional reason claiming that people with injuries also can benefit.
All of our jets are a therapy jet, meaning they all rotate, he said. ... Our jets produce a pattern on your body, so its like youve got actual fingers massaging your muscles and your sore joints.
The Kohlers business is located at 7210 W. First St. on the frontage road west of Beaver Creek Golf Course. They hope to have a sign up announcing their business before the end of next week.
Customers can contact the Kohlers by phone at 265-6399 for an appointment or drop by between noon and 7 p.m.
