RM Online - Fountains get business flowing

Gleaming beverage fountains are both attractive centerpiece displays and easy-to-use serving appliances. One or more beverage fountains add a distinctive and elegant touch to functions where hosts want to ensure that their events truly are special.

Styles vary, but most models have mirror-bright stainless-steel finishes embellished by trim in ornate designs. Some are decorated with gold plate. A self-contained pump circulates liquids from the serving bowl up through the center column and through tubing back into the serving bowl.

Party rental specialists say that both professional event planners and individuals organizing weddings and other family celebrations rent beverage fountains for many types of social functions.

"Beverage fountains once were thought of as primarily for wedding rentals," says Kim Maerowitz, Pontrelli Fountain Co., Gilbert, Ariz. "But today they are rented for a wide variety of parties and special events."

Fountain pumps are designed to accommodate beverages of every viscosity, including champagne, other wines, fruit juices, punch mixtures and nonalcoholic carbonated drinks.

"Beverage fountains are very versatile," says Jon Stuart, San Marino Fountain Co., Monrovia, Calif. "It is more and more common to see fountains at wine-tasting events, serving red wines at room temperature and chilled white wines. They are popular at luaus where they serve citrus juices and punches. Smaller fountains are ideal for children's parties."

Basic fountain components are the combination serving bowl and base that holds the pump and motor, center column and top display element. Popular sizes hold from two to seven gallons.

"Fountains are extremely easy to assemble," says

Maerowitz. "However, most rental stores deliver fountains to customers fully assembled."

Once in place, all that is necessary is to fill the bowl with the beverage and plug the unit into a standard household electrical outlet. To maintain temperatures of beverages served cold, and help keep the fizz of carbonated drinks, Maerowitz suggests over-chilling before filling the fountain bowl and replenishing the beverage supply frequently. Adding more fresh beverage also prevents the fountain from running dry.

"Rental centers that maximize the potential of their fountain inventory style merchandise around seasoned themes in a showroom filled with well-maintained inventory," Stuart says. "This will help satisfy almost every need and offers options by utilizing numerous sizes and styles of beverage fountains."

The most innovative way to promote beverage fountains, Stuart adds, is to offer their use in traditional settings while also keeping up with current public interests.

Stuart also suggests encouraging the use of fountains at not-so-traditional events, such as corporate meetings and functions.

For less formal occasions, there are beverage dispensers that provide an attractive alternative, suggests Robert Kastner of RABO Enterprises, Fullerton, Calif. These dispensers require no electrical power and are ideal for outdoor events where electrical outlets are not available or not conveniently located.

"Dispensers are easy to transport and can be used anywhere," Kastner says. "They are very practical, durable, and easy to use and clean." Such dispensers keep beverages hot as well as chilled.

Event needs seldom are limited to beverage fountains or dispensers, so there is great potential for rental of other items and sales of disposables. Glassware or disposable plastic cups and napkins always are necessary for beverage service. Events that include meals require table linens and flatware, trays and serving bowls, food-warming equipment and other standard party items.