Graham Crackers Opens in Benton County
by June 6, 2005 12:00 am 150 views
Graham Crackers
Owner: Mike and Britt Graham
Address: 204 SW 20th St., Bentonville 72712
Phone/Fax: (479) 273-1118 / (479) 273-1631
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Startup date: Jan. 17, 2005
Web site: www.funstores.com
Mike Graham knows a little something about how to have fun in a back yard. The owner of Graham Crackers, a spa store plus, has been in the business since he was 19 years old.
Recently, as a result of growth in Bentonville and customer requests, Graham opened a second store to complement his store in Springdale. The 8,000-SF showroom displays such products as billiards, patio furniture, saunas, swimming pool chemicals, outdoor kitchens and outdoor fireplaces. Installation is also part of the business.
Graham Crackers, according to Graham, is the top Cal Spa dealer in the area. In addition, the business deals with Home Crest and Carter Grandle patio furniture; Splash, Aqua Leader and Presidential above-ground pools; and Camelot and Presidential billiards tables.
It took about $75,000 to open the new store. There are only two employees, since all service will still come out of the Springdale office. Graham said his target audience is any homeowner with a back yard, but most of his business comes from 35- to 55-year-olds.
Were capable of doing a complete, total back yard, Graham said. Out of his dealings with Graham Crackers came two additional businesses: Treasure Island Pools and Spa Toter.
Treasure Island Pools is a custom in-ground pool company. The great thing about Treasure Island, said Graham, is that the design is computer-generated. The pool is built around existing structures. Landscaping is part of the design.
Spa Toter is a trailer that Graham and his employees invented out of necessity. A patent is pending on the product, which will allow spa dealers and manufacturers to display their wares.