Litehouse pool stores changing name
BOARDMAN — The local Litehouse Pools & Spas stores are dropping their connection to Litehouse and becoming an independent operation.
The stores in Boardman and Niles are being renamed Mahoning Valley Pool & Spa.
Andy Shobel of Canfield, who has owned both stores since 1987, said the affiliation with Litehouse no longer works for him.
“We outgrew it,” he said.
He had a licensing deal that called for him to buy all of his pools and supplies through Litehouse, which is based in suburban Cleveland. Now, he will buy items on his own.
He said his business has reached the size where he can get the same volume discounts as large stores. Also, he will no longer have to pay Litehouse a mark-up fee.
For more information, see Saturday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.