The Jacksonville Home & Patio Show was held Sept. 30-Oct. 3, bringing hundreds of exhibitors to the Prime Osborn III Convention Center. From patio furniture and massage chairs to carpets, roofing and mattresses, the show featured a variety of exhibits and specials promotions.
One of the more unique exhibitors featured at this year’s show was Ponte Vedra Beach-based Ocean Sole, a social enterprise that helps clean the oceans and the environment by recycling flip-flops washed up on the beaches of Kenya into hand-crafted works of art. In addition to having a booth space at the home show, Ocean Sole’s larger artworks could be found throughout the show, providing a colorful, whimsical touch to the weekend. For more information on Ocean Sole, go to oceansoleonline.com.
Another highlight of this year’s Home & Patio Show was the presence of “swimspas” that combine a hot tub with an “endless” swimming pool that allows users to swim in place against a current. The show featured several swimspa exhibitors, with prices ranging up to $40,000. Clearwater-based Spa Manufacturers Inc. – which sells factory-direct to consumers – displayed a 16-foot swimspa with two jets, waterfall, LED lights, hot tub seating for six and built-in bar with stools for $17,995. The company also offers a basic swimspa model for $10,000.
“Swimspas are popular because they have a heater, so you can swim constantly all year round,” Swim Manufacturers’ Sarah Porter said. “And because they’re above ground, you don’t need to deal with building codes.”
For more information, go to spamanufacturers.com.
