About AquaZen Pool, Spa & Sauna
Locally owned. Community driven. Committed to your backyard experience.
Our Story
AquaZen was built on a simple belief: the Tri-Cities deserves a pool and spa store where the people behind the counter actually know what they’re talking about — and genuinely care about getting it right for you.
Between our two owners, we bring decades of hands-on experience in the pool and spa industry right here in the Tri-Cities. David has been working in pool and spa retail since the late 1990s — from Kennewick to Moses Lake, he’s helped thousands of local families get more out of their backyard investment. Shawn brings 27 years of operations and management experience along with five years in the pool industry. Together, they offer a level of local expertise that’s rare to find in one place.
We opened AquaZen in June 2025 because we knew this community needed a store that could step up — a locally owned destination with deep roots, honest advice, and a genuine commitment to the people who live here. Whether you need chemicals, a new hot tub, a pool opening, or you just want someone to help you understand your water test results, we’re here for all of it.
We carry the best pool, spa, sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor living brands available — including Vita Spas, Latham Pools, Maax Saunas, Jandy, and more. We service what we sell — and plenty of what we don’t. And we’ll always give you a straight answer, even if that means recommending something simple over something expensive.
Meet the Owners
David Elder — Co-Owner
David brings 15 years of hands-on pool and spa industry experience to AquaZen. He’s the kind of guy who genuinely loves what water does for people — the way a backyard pool becomes the center of a family’s summers, or how a hot tub at the end of a long day can just reset everything.
Before AquaZen, David spent 13 years running a private school, where he learned that building real relationships and earning trust is the foundation of any good organization. He brings that same philosophy to every customer interaction here.
David is a devoted family man with a large family of his own. He loves hiking, camping, and — of course — poolside gatherings.
“I want every customer who walks through our door to leave feeling like they got honest advice from someone who actually cared about their situation — not just their sale.”
Shawn Sanderson — Co-Owner
Shawn is a five-year veteran of the pool and spa industry with an operational background that few can match. Before AquaZen, he spent 27 years as a regional manager overseeing 15 convenience stores and 8 quick-service restaurants — he knows exactly what it takes to run a business that delivers on its promises.
Shawn’s focus is making sure every visit to AquaZen is smooth, professional, and worth your time. He’s the operations brain — ensuring our service team shows up on time, product quality stays consistent, and customer experiences exceed expectations.
An avid outdoorsman and sports fan, Shawn is passionate about helping families get more from their outdoor spaces. When he’s not in the store, you might just find him maintaining one of the Tri-Cities’ finest pools — because for Shawn, great service isn’t just a policy, it’s personal.
“We’re hungry and determined. We’re not here to be average. We want to be the best backyard store in the Tri-Cities — and we’re going to earn that reputation one customer at a time.”
What We Believe
Honesty Over Sales
We’re not going to upsell you on something you don’t need. We’ll tell you the truth — even when that means a smaller purchase. That’s the only way we know how to do business, and it’s the only way real trust gets built.
Faith-Driven Values
Both David and Shawn are people of faith, and that shapes how we operate. We treat customers like we’d want to be treated. We stand behind our work. We do what we say we’re going to do. Simple as that.
Community First
We live in the Tri-Cities. Our customers are our neighbors. We’re invested in this community and want to see families thriving here — starting with backyards they actually love spending time in.
Wellness-Focused
Water is healing. Whether it’s a pool that gets your kids off screens and into the sun, a hot tub that soothes aching joints, a sauna for detox and recovery, or a cold plunge for mental clarity — we genuinely believe in the wellness benefits of what we sell.
Knowledgeable Service
We don’t just sell products — we know them. When you have a question, you’ll get a real answer. When something breaks, our technicians can actually fix it. That depth of knowledge is something you won’t always find at a box store.
Hungry to Be the Best
We’re new — but we’re motivated. Our goal is to become the go-to backyard destination in Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco. We’re working every day to earn that reputation, one satisfied customer at a time.
Ready to Build Your Dream Backyard?
Stop by our Richland showroom — no pressure, no pitch. Just two guys who love this stuff, ready to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
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