Lincoln waterbed industry still
rolling with the economic punches
By Helling Liu
Although some waterbed stores in and around
Lincoln have gone out of business, the waterbed
industry continues to grow according to Lorrie
White, manager of Land and Sky Waterbed of
Lincoln.
Last year, waterbed sales increased 23 percent
nationwide, totalling $2 billion. Conventional bed
sales were only up 15 percent, according to the
Waterbed Manufacturers' Association.
Characteristics unique to waterbeds have con
tributed to the growth of the business, White said.
Waterbeds provide more stylish looks than box
spring beds and can be beneficial to people with
health problems.
Waterbeds give full support for a sleepers' entire
body and eases facilitate easier movement in the
bed, she said, making waterbeds good for pregnant
women and insomniacs. When babies sleep in
waterbeds, they will sleep more comfortably because
of a waterbed's similarity to the mother's womb, she
said. In addition, children may experience fewer
nightmares when sleeping on a waterbed, she said.
Based on medical theories, waterbeds also are
good for back sufferers, arthritis patients and burn
victims, she said.
Currently about Vi of all Americans sleep on
waterbeds, White said. In White's opinion, consider
ing the sh' rt history of the waterbed Industry, the
growth of sales represents a success, she said.
However, it's still a competitive field. According to
Ty Romsa, co-owner of Waterbed Liquidator's, four
factors cause waterbed companies to go out of busi
ness lack of capital, poor management, lack of
waterbed knowledge and unwillingness to stay in
such stiff competition.
Waterbed Liquidator's just bought out all the
stocks from" Westwoods Waterbeds, the West 0 store
that closed last month.
Since Nebraska doesn't have any waterbed manu
facturers in town, retailers have to be equipped with
enough capital to keep business going, Romus said.
In light of the popularity of waterbeds, some con
ventional furniture stores have entered the water
bed market, Whte and Romas agreed. The prices of
waterbeds range from $79 to $600 in different
stores, but a walnut waterbed costs at about $3,000
at least, she said.
Yet customers have to be careful about water
beds' qualities, which sometimes can make a differ
ence in usage between only one-year and 20 years,
White said.
With its rapid growth, the waterbed business is
posing a threat on conventional beds industry, she
said. Recently a major mattress supplier in Ohio was
merged into a waterbeds business. More and more
conventional beds dealers are looking into this prob
lem now, she said.
David TroubaOally Nebrasktn
$10
donation
buysr'L
incoln ntness
sampler
By Psm Alwsrd
A $10 . donation to the American Lung Association
of Nebraska can get Lincoln residents two to three
visits to each of eight fitness locations from now
until September 14.
Sheri Larson McAulffe, southeast regional
director of the American Lung Association of Ne
braska, said the Health and Fitness Sampler includes
visits to.the ATA Fitness Center, 2019 Highway 2; the
Body Shoppe, 2301 Highway 2; the Body Firm, 2301
Highway 2; Mademoiselle Figure and Fitness, 121
Cherry Hill Blvd.; 24-Hour Nautilus, 1400 N. 48th St.;
the YWCA, 1 432 N St.; and both YMCAs, at 1039 P St.
and 2601 N. 70 St.
"We see this as an excellent opportunity for peo
ple to help us by giving their $10 donation, yet help
themselves through total fitness," Larson-McAuliffe
said.
The American Lung Association of Nebraska is a
non-profit organization supported by donations
and fund-raisers, she said.
The fitness centers agreed to allow the free visits
in hopes of increasing membership' by showing their
facilities, Larson-McAuliffe said.
Para Rejcha, manager of the Body Shoppe, said
the sampler allows people to realize the importance
of physical activity. The Body Shoppe and Mademoi
selle both are female-only health centers.
The Body Firm manager Dana Poore said the
sampler will help, to advertise its facilities, and
increase its membership. The Body Firm is an all
male health center.
Lincoln and Omaha shops are offering the sampler
package for the first time, Larson-McAuliffe said,
although a similar program has worked well in Flor
ida and Iowa.
Summer is a good time to offer the sampler, she
said, because people prefer exercising outside then
Maps help bikers pedal city streets
Continued from Page 1
The Lincoln bicycle map is available from the
Parks and Recreation Department at 2740 A St. It
also is available from the County-City Building
information desk, Lincoln fire stations, the Lincoln
Transportation Department, and most Lincoln book
stores and bicycle shops.
Cyclists interested in joining the Great Plains
Bicycling Club can get membership forms at local
bicycle shops. To sign ud for clubs tours, contact
John Pabst at 423-4779. Dues for the club are $8 for
an individual membership and $10 for a family
membership.
Pabst said many club members will ride in the
fourth annual Bicycle Ride Across America, begin
ning June 3. The one-week trip from Fort Robinson
to Omaha covers 469 miles. No more space is availa
ble for this year's trip, sponsored by Omaha's North
west Rotary Club, Pabst said. Enrollment closed at
about 600 participants, he said, with 100 more on a
waiting list. Last year, Pabst said, about 310 cyclists
rode in the event.
Ff
once
The following incidents were reported to the UNL
police department between 8 a.m. Thursday and 10
a.m. Sunday:
Thursday:
8:15 a.m. Vandalism reported between 14th
and 16th and Vine streets. Juveniles reportedly
threw rocks at a pickup, causing paint damage.
11:09 a.m. Bike tire reported stolen from"
Schramm Hall.
4:54 p.m. Security alarm reported sounding at
Love Library. Alarm was tripped by a storm.
Friday
1:15 a.m. Individual arrested for Driving While
Intoxicated at 10th and Charleston streets.
5:59 a.m. Fire alarm reported sounding at the
Plant Science Building. Alarm was tripped because
of mechanical problems.
6:30 a.m. Security alarm reported sounding at
Love Library. Cause is unknown.
8:56 a.m. Security alarm reported sounding at
Hamilton Hall. Employee accidently tripped the
alarm.
10:52 p.m. Intoxicated individual reported at
the Nebraska Union. Individual was taken to the
Detoxification Center.
S&tordsy:
5:52 a.m. Fire alarm reported sounding at Ban
croft Hall. Possible malfunctions tripped the alarm.
4:19 p.m. Hit-and-run accident reported near
Love Memorial Cooperative.
Tuesday, May2Z-1984
Sunday:
9:27 a.m. Misdemeanor assault reported to
have occurred between the Administration Building
and Love Library. Man on a bicycle reportedly
touched a woman's buttocks while she was walking.
Police describe the bicyclist as being a white male in
his 30's, weighing approximately 160 pounds.
- 10:03 a.m. Burglary reported at the West
Stadium Strength Office. Several shirts and jackets
were reported missing.
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and fitness centers are more accessible. The Ameri
can Lung Association of Nebraska will consider
offering the sampler again, possibly in another sea
son, if this onels successful, she said.
Anyone can receive the Health and Fitness Samp
ler, Larson-McAuliffe said, although some centers,
including 24-hour Nautilus and ATA, require people
to be at least 18 years old.
Most of the centers' facilities are included in the
Health and Fitness Sampler, she said. But some, like
Mademoiselle's sunbed, cost extra, she said.
Turnout has been good so far, Larson-McAuliffe
said. She said she expects 200 to 500 to participants.
Application blanks are available at the American
Lung Association, fitness centers and sporting goods
stores around Lincoln, she said.
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Tuesday thru Saturday
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Monday thru Wednesday
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Friday and Saturday
He-FEPB end 01.00 PITCHnHOii
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Summer Hours: 8-1 a.m.
Monday thru Saturday
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