A Day at the Beach—West Caldwell Style

Not to be negative (or sound like Grouchy Smurf), but I hate the winter. I loathe the freezing temperatures. Snow? Don't get me started. For folks of like mind, and those who need a little tan or just want to spite Mother Nature, Beach Bum Tanning is the perfect way to go.

The place is inviting inside; warm colors and black leather couches are in the "lobby," with various tanning products abound. At the counter, one can choose from the many types of tanning packages available; there are machines of varying wattage and airbrushing. After one makes a choice, simulated sun awaits in one of the 17 separate tanning rooms. 

Beach Bum Tanning has been in West Caldwell (903 Bloomfield Ave.) since August of  2005, and is co-owned by Igor Marecki and Chris Alexe.

Alexe is 39, but he's had a lot of professional experience. After being a financial advisor for eight years, he dovetailed into IT work. When a merger resulted in a severance package, he decided to open two Beach Bum locations—the other down in Brick in South Jersey.

As we talk about the business, a steady stream of customers come in for their sessions—6 to 9 p.m. is the salon's busiest time—and the crowd shattered indoor tanning stereotypes by the second.

While some "weightlifter types" and Jersey Shore type of gals come in, there are people of all ages, with one couple in their 50s tanning together!

"We have people in their 60s tanning—our oldest customer is 84," Alexe said. 

Alexe took time out from catching up on work (he was on vacation for two weeks, in California, the "beach bum") to give the lowdown on the business of selling the sun.

Caldwells Patch: I've seen a lot of different people come in as we talking—is there such a thing as a tan-a-holic?

Chris Alexe: There are people that come in here seasonally; they'll come in a lot for a while, and then take a break.

CP: What is the busiest time of the year?

CA: Spring and winter are our busiest times; the slowest is summer!

CP: Why do people come here?

CA: People on vacations, people getting ready for weddings, birthdays (CP: birthdays?)

CP: What is the latest craze in tanning?

Employee Natalie Zurawel hears the question and answers:  "Doing a 'cocktail'—that's tanning and then getting an airbrushing."

CP: Do people come here that suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder?

CA: I'm not sure,  but I know that tanning is a stimulant—it makes people feel better.

CP: Do you tan a lot? Did you go to the beach a lot as a kid? 

CA: At times I do ... I go through my phases. I was born and raised in Queens, and actually still live there, so I went to Jones Beach a lot as a kid with my family.

CP: Is that what inspired you to get into this business?

CA: Actually, my friend owned of a couple of  Beach Bum stores.

CP: What can you say about West Caldwell?

CA: It's a great town—I love it! I didn't like it, I wouldn't be here.

CP: I have to address the concerns for one's health with tanning in general—what are your thoughts on that?

CA: It's regulated here, we offer limitations on tanning—whereas you can't regulate the sun. Your chances of burning are less. An average tanning time is 10 minutes—12 minutes is the max.

CP: So, it's all about moderation?

CA: Yes, like anything else you do in life. Tanning, like the sun, is also good for getting vitamin D, which some scientists say prevents certain cancers.

CP: Could anyone walk in and tan here? 

CA: If you're between 14 and 17 years old you need your parents' consent for the tanning beds; with air brushing there's no consent needed. If you're younger than that, you need a doctor's note!

CP: How do you feel about self-tanners?

CA: It's tough to do, unless you do the [self-tanning] machine. 

At a Glance: Beach Bum Tanning

Address: 903 Bloomfield Ave., West Caldwell 

Phone: 973-808-1190

Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week

Offering: Sunless tanning through various methods; beds and airbrushing. Many packages are available, based on tanning method and number of sessions. Staff is very knowledgeable.

Trivia: Half of the store was once a Fayva Shoes location. Alexe: "we when we moved in, we found an old time clock punch card in the back."