Staying home? Make an Oasis.

Photos by Emma Highfill, Rose Wheat Photography

Jeff Armstrong, owner of Patio, Pool & Fireside, says they have seen unprecedented sales this year for pools, spas, grills and outdoor furniture.

Patio, Pool & Fireside offers everything their business name suggests, plus upscale outdoor furniture, grills and outdoor accessories.

There’s just one catch: Due to unprecedented demand, you may have to wait a bit longer for your dream oasis.

According to store manager Cathi Sue Buckley, the store is down to the “bare-bones” of furniture in their showroom, sold out of hot tubs and selling firepits like wildfire. As for pools? Don’t count on getting one this season.

“It’s like toilet paper,” Buckley said. “You can’t get an above-ground pool locally or nationally. People are selling them from their backyards.”

While Buckley said warmer weather usually drives the demand, she’s never seen the pool business this backed up. Even chemicals are on backorder.

“After four weeks into staying home with their children doing schoolwork, people wanted to open their pools,” Buckley said.

Patio, Pool & Fireside has been able to serve their customers in other ways. Work-from-home employees, for example, have been prominent shoppers.

“We’ve had several people buy chairs so they can sit on the porch and work on their laptops,” she said. “Why be stuck inside when you can work outdoors?”

While their price points are higher than big-box stores, Buckley said their customers are willing to pay extra for higher quality.

“People want to invest in things that are going to last a good long, time,” Buckley said. “Our furniture is going to last generations.”

As people discover a new appreciation for their homes, making such investments may become a lasting trend.

“We’re a traveling society, but we have to entertain ourselves,” said Buckley. “People are learning staying home isn’t so bad after all.”