Caldera Spas Beginnings – 1976 through 1980s
Here’s where the Ingram and Clark families begin to enter the story. We told you we’d get back here eventually.
In 1976, the founders of Caldera Spas, led by one of the Pioneer’s of the Hot Tub Industry, David Ingram, started building what has become one of the Leading Brands of Portable Spas manufactured today – Caldera Spas.
The hot tubs of the late 1970s and early 1980s were simpler than those of today, but these original hot tubs paved the way for the high-tech features we now take for granted.
Shelley Ingram Enters the Hot Tub Industry
Shelley Ingram-Clark, David Ingram’s daughter, started with the family business in 1983. She has rolled fiberglass, worked in manufacturing, handled accounting and marketing, and later worked as a sales rep. She knows the hot tub industry inside and out.
Later, in the 1999, the Ingram family sold Caldera Spas to one of the largest manufacturers of hot tubs today, Watkins Manufacturing, now known as Watkins Wellness. Watkins Wellness is The Spa and Sauna Company’s primary spa and swim spa manufacturer.
Scott Clark Enters the Hot Tub Industry
Scott Clark began working in the hot tub industry in the late 1980s, selling hot tubs at a Hot Spring Spa/Finnleo Sauna dealership in the Bay Area. In 1990, he opened his own store, in San Jose, called South Bay Spa and Sauna.
These days, even with 5 stores and 2 full warehouses to operate, you’re just as likely to find Scott moving hot tubs or setting the showroom floor, as you are to find him in talking to team members or planning for future endeavors. It’s easy to see his passion for all parts of the hot tub industry.
A Hot Tub Love Story – 1995 to Present
One day, while making sales calls for Caldera, Shelley stopped into Scott’s hot tub business in San Jose, which he had owned for 5 years by then.
Over the next few months, their relationship transitioned from a business relationship to a personal one.
They married in 2000 and have now been together for over 20 years.
After a brief period working traveling spa shows, the family and business settled in the Reno area in 2002 and opened their first Reno area store together, The Spa and Sauna Shop. At their first location on Louie Lane in Reno, the store featured Caldera Spas, Finnleo Saunas, and Brunswick and Olhausen Billiards. Today, that location is closed to the public and serves as a dedicated warehouse for the 3 Reno Showrooms. Now, The Spa and Sauna Shop is located in Sparks.
A Family Affair
Scott calls Father-in-Law David Ingram fairly frequently for business advice and conversation.
And co-owner Shelley is more involved with the business, now that their children are mostly grown.
Their children are involved too. Nick Clark helps out with the business in Santa Cruz, while Joey Clark is now the Lead Service Technician in Reno. Jacob Clark helps out in the Reno stores as well, and Carlee Clark stops in from time to time, but is still attending school.
Shelley’s brother, Jason Ingram, also owns a hot tub store in California, San Diego Hot Spring Spas.
“The Caldera Spas of Today, may not be My ‘Father’s’ Hot Tubs, but the foundation he built and the guidance he still gives to the Hot Tub Industry and Us as a Family, will live on for Future Generations,” Shelley said.
The Growth Years – 2013 – 2020 and beyond
The Spa and Sauna Company has grown from a 1 shop location, originally in San Jose, California, to a 5- showroom business, in 2 states, with 2 dedicated warehouses, serving Nevada and California. In 2019, with the addition of the San Jose location, the Clarks have really seen their business come full circle.
In 2013, Scott and Shelley opened Reno Hot Spring Spas, at 6815 Sierra Center Pkwy., across from Target, in Reno, which is dedicated exclusively to Hot Spring Spas and the value line Freeflow Spas.
In 2015, they opened their largest showroom in Reno, at 9748 S. Virginia St., next to WinCo, just 2 miles away from the Hot Spring Store. That location had formerly been a spa showroom, known as Sierra Nevada Spas and Billiards. The Spa and Sauna Company flagship showroom features Caldera Spas and Sundance Spas, as well as Endless Pools, Finnleo Saunas, Saber Grills and Big Green Egg BBQs. Serving as the company’s headquarters, it also includes a service department, concierge valet hot tub cleaning service department, delivery department, marketing department, customer service department, plus offices, and a warehouse.
In 2016, Caldera Spas celebrated its 40th anniversary.
In 2017, the original Spa and Sauna Shop on Louie Lane was converted to a warehouse and the new Spa and Sauna Shop opened in Sparks, on 250 E. Glendale Ave. in a better retail location on the corner of Glendale and McCarran.
In 2019, The Spa and Sauna Co. of Reno, became The Spa and Sauna Co., as it added two Hot Spring Spas showrooms in California to the family of stores – Hot Spring Spas of Santa Cruz and Hot Spring Spas of San Jose. After taking ownership of the business, most of the team members who had worked there for years remained part of the team.
Later in 2019, Hot Spring Spas of San Jose was relocated and renovated at its current address 2627 S. Bascom Ave. in Campbell.
In early 2020, the Santa Cruz Showroom, at 707 River St. in Santa Cruz, was renovated as well.
And now in 2020, The Spa and Sauna Company family of stores is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.
And it doesn’t seem like growth plans are slowing down.
Weathering the Storms
The business survived and thrived through the Great Recession of 2008, as people were still looking for backyard and in-home relaxation.
Facing 2020’s global pandemic, The Spa and Sauna Co. continued to thrive, as interest in backyard leisure increased dramatically. Adjustments were made for so team members could work from home or work safely in office, as we provide essential water care for sale in store and online.
Scott and Shelley, who have always embraced advances in technology, used that time to make more technological improvements to all of their stores, and adjust the buying process too.
The Spa and Sauna Company also transitioned its largely in-person sales process, so that customers could shop for and buy a hot tub without ever coming into the store, if desired. Hot tub supplies are also available from our Online Store, and adjustments were made for curbside pick-up options. We are here to help you shop in the way that is most comfortable for you, whether that is in person, online or virtually.
In Conclusion
Through the years, The Spa and Sauna Company has grown and evolved in many ways, from a company of just 2 people to nearly 50 people.
Over the years, The Spa and Sauna Company has won dozens of awards from its manufacturers, the local community in Reno and Santa Cruz, and small business associations. To see a list of all of the awards, click here. The Spa and Sauna Company has also been involved with community events, from local Duck Races and parades, to Toy Drives and Hot Tub Donations to Veterans.
“It’s been an amazing 30 years,” Scott said. “We’re honored to be a part of the hot tub industry. Hot Tubs truly are all about family and creating quality time and memories – especially in our case.”
The Spa and Sauna Company continues to offer the award-winning service that makes it so unique. We hope you have enjoyed learning a bit more about the history of hot tubs and the history of The Spa and Sauna Company.
