PASADENA, MARYLAND • SINCE 1969
A Pasadena Family Business Since 1969
Five decades in business. The same commitment to straight answers and quality products Gene Lilly built this place on.
our story
“We tell customers when they don't need to spend money. That's been our way since 1969.”
Gene Lilly
Founder · Gene Lilly Pools & Spas, Est. 1969
Gene Lilly opened his pool and spa store on Ritchie Highway in Pasadena in 1969 with a simple idea: give local families access to quality products and the kind of honest, knowledgeable service they couldn't find anywhere else. What he built has lasted more than 50 years, and the principles he started with still run this business today.
We've watched Pasadena grow up around us. We've served parents who now bring in their own children. We've watched national chains open down the road and seen customers come back, because the relationship matters, and a chain can't replicate what takes decades to build.
In practice, that means we keep records of your pool's size and history so we can give you better advice the next time you walk in. It means our staff will tell you when you don't need to spend money, because our goal is to solve your problem, not maximize your bill. It means you'll be treated like someone we expect to see again.
01
No Commission, Ever
Our staff isn't compensated on what you spend. Their only goal is to give you the right answer — even when that means telling you to skip the sale.
02
Your History On File
We keep records of your pool's size, equipment, and past issues. Every time you walk in, we already know your setup.
03
Only Products We Trust
Every product on our floor has been chosen because we'd recommend it to a family member — not because of margin or price point.
04
The Relationship Matters
We serve parents who now bring in their own children. That kind of trust takes decades to build — and it's what we protect every day.
Our Commitment to Quality
Only Products We Believe In
We're selective about what we carry. Every pool, spa, chemical, and piece of equipment on our floor has been chosen because we'd recommend it to a family member — not because it hits a price point or comes with a favorable margin. We don't stock inferior products, and we don't push brands we don't trust.
When you buy from Gene Lilly Pools & Spas, you get the benefit of more than 50 years of evaluating what works and what doesn't. That kind of curation is something a big-box retailer simply can't offer.
Our Team
People Who Know Their Stuff
Our staff isn't made up of salespeople working on commission. They're experienced pool and spa people with genuine product knowledge and a long track record with our customers. Many have been here for years.
When you come in with a water sample or a broken pump part, you're talking to someone who has seen it before and knows exactly what to do.
Questions
Get to Know Us
Are you still a family-owned business?
Gene Lilly Pools & Spas has always been a locally and family-owned business. That independence is what allows us to put customers first without the quotas, upsell pressure, or one-size-fits-all policies that come with corporate ownership.
Do you service inground pools?
While our pool sales focus on above-ground pools, our water care, chemicals, parts, and liner replacement services support all pool types, including inground vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete. We also provide professional opening and closing services for both above-ground and in-ground pools.
Why should I trust your water testing advice?
Because our staff isn't on commission. Their only goal is to help you fix the problem efficiently. We've had many customers come to us after spending hundreds of dollars on unnecessary chemicals at other stores. We'd rather earn your trust with straight advice than make an extra sale.
How do you remember my pool's history?
We keep records. Pool size, equipment, past issues — it's all on file. It means faster, more accurate advice every time you come in, and it's a level of personalized service you won't find at a chain.
Drop In For A Visit
Come On By. We're Your Hometown Store.
Open Tuesday–Saturday, 9am–5pm. 8195 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD. Bring a water sample — testing is always free.