When the coronavirus pandemic was spreading across the U.S. last summer, sparking lockdowns across the country, Dan Fogerty thought his business had just been upended.
As a seller of refurbished hot tubs, the longtime Bend resident saw economic stagnation ahead, which could only mean slumping hot tub sales. His concerns were compounded by a recent move to a larger workspace, which meant higher costs to shoulder during a downturn.
Fogerty, owner of Handy Dan’s Re-Spa, need not have worried. Like many winners that emerged during the pandemic — RV rentals, bike sellers, hardware suppliers — hot tub sales have been brisk. All those remote workers need a place to unwind, and amid the quarantines and social distancing measure, crowded tubs at athletic clubs have lost their appeal.
“I sold out everything, I didn’t have any spas for a while, it was…
