SLO pool supply business closing after 42 years

A San Luis Obispo business is closing its doors after 42 years of providing pool and spa supplies and indoor plants.

Craig Fraser has been working at Coastal Pool Center since his mother and her husband opened the business at 265 Pacific St. on June 15, 1973.

His mother, Marlene Leek, died Feb. 1 at the age of 83, and Fraser said he has decided to close the business. He hasn’t yet determined his final day in business; the property owner has given him 45 days to vacate.

Fraser is hoping that he’ll be out sooner but believes that should be enough time for him to sell his remaining inventory, including pool supplies and indoor plants, pottery, soils and other items.

“It’s just to the point where I don’t see how I could personally continue,” said Fraser, who was 19 when he started working there. “It’s so overwhelming, it’s crazy.”

Leek started the business with her husband, William G. Leek, who died some years earlier. She remained the owner/operator until her death this year.

Fraser, 61, said he obtained his own business license and initially intended to continue, but then realized that the swimming pool contractor’s license was in his mother’s name and decided to close rather than pursue a new license.

“I’m ready for a break,” he said.

The property is owned by Harris Family Properties LLC, according to the San Luis Obispo County Assessor’s Office. Nancy Harris, one of the owners, said the family bought the property in 1976.

Harris, a Paso Robles resident, said the family has not yet determined its plans for the property.

“My family has gotten to the place where we’re just not able to get down and manage the property,” she said, “so now we’re just kind of up in the air as to what we’re going to do.”

There is one other business on the property, Clarke Lane Music. Jessie Clarke, who owns the recording studio along with husband Darren, said they were served with a 90-day notice to vacate.

Nancy Harris said she did not have any information on why the Clarkes were asked to vacate. “I’m just not sure, to tell you the truth,” she said, adding that several other family members are also involved.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 4:43 PM with the headline "SLO pool supply business closing after 42 years."