Pacific Tanning celebrating 14 years in business

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

When Hope Wunsch opened Pacific Tanning 14 years ago, she said there were six tanning salons in Copperas Cove. Now, her place is the only one. 
On Saturday, Wunsch is celebrating her business by holding a party and welcoming other small business owners in as well. 
All three of her tenants, Skin Apeel, Blue-Eyed Chic Boutique, and Massage by Kat, will be also open on Saturday to celebrate. 
Wunsch is hosting several other businesses, LuLaRoe Sassy/Manuela and Nicole, Lovely Lips by Liz, Scentsy by Jill, B’s Treasures and Gifts, Peek.A.Who Designs, and talked about why she is sharing her space with others.
“I’m a huge small business supporter. I think people should shop local and support their small business owners. The idea really came from Small Business Saturday in November. We thought, why don’t we do it again in the spring? Last year was the first year we did it, and I want to support these women and get their names out there.”
The anniversary celebration goes from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Wunsch is preparing goody bags chock-full of offer and discounts for the first 50 customers. 
“This year I’m doing something new. I’ve gone to other small local businesses and gotten donations for the goody bags, such as from Soggy Doggies, GymKix, Healthy Hub, Candy Outfitters. Even though they’re not going to be here, hopefully some of the customers will use their coupons.”
In addition tanning, Pacific Tanning offers a variety of lotions to be used before tanning with anti-aging and other features, with smaller packets to “try before you buy,” Wunsch said, along with a lineup of after-tanning moisturizers. She even offers a UV teeth-whitening system that can be used during tanning or at home. 
Wunsch said the key to staying in business and in touch with her customers has been marketing and advertising, along with adapting to changes that come. She said she also belongs to a tanning group on Facebook, where others like herself exchange ideas on how to reach and keep customers. 
She said the laws for tanning salons have changed over the years and she has had to be creative and try different things to continue to get the word out. 
“There have been a lot of changes with the laws, like the tan tax, and the age of tanning changed, which decreased business,” she said. 
However, tanning is still very popular during the spring, particularly. 
“Last night I was here until 8:00, spraying girls for the Lampasas prom. There’s also military balls. Also, Cove’s prom is May 5, so I’ll be spraying a lot of girls that day too.”
Pacific Tanning started with four beds, then added a standup bed a year later, followed by another bed. Wunsch also expanded her store area and rents out three of her rooms to a massage therapist, a boutique, and an esthetician. Additionally, Wunsch said her shop offers fit wraps and spray tans in addition to traditional tanning beds. 
One of the things Wunsch does is offer product discounts to her customers and take walk-ins. 
“If someone walks in wanting a spray tan, I will fit them in,” she said. 
On Saturday, there will be door prizes and discounts, such as selected tanning lotions on sale for $14 in honor of the anniversary. Pacific Tanning is located at 212 E. Bus. 190 Suite D.