DESTIN - “Cool, very cool” reads the sticker on the side of several coolers with handlebars parked out front of Beach Access gift shop on Old Highway 98. “They are cool man, real cool,” said Cruzin Cooler representative Rick Harmon. Since October of last year, Harmon has been the regional distributor for Cruzin Cooler motorized carts in Fort Walton Beach. Over the past several years, cooler scooters have become very popular along the beach and at sporting events such as NASCAR races, where they are easily accessible and permitted. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outfitters are now selling the electric coolers.
  
“Sales have been really good,” he said, “so we thought we’d come over to (Miramar).”
  
The Cruzin scooters come in two sizes for riding and can reach speeds of 13 mph (according to the brochure). The low-end model goes for roughly $400 and the more powerful batterypowered cart for $500.
  
Their Web site advertises a gas powered cooler with two and four stroke engines that will be available later this year.
  
On Wednesday afternoon, numerous beachgoers were stopping to check out the motorized contraption being ridden by Harmon around the Beach Access parking lot.
  
“I had never seen one until I was up at Talladega Raceway a few years ago,” said Harmon. “I bought one for my sons to play around with and realized it was a great product. I called the company and told them I wanted to sell this thing.”
  
The company is based out of Houston, Texas and has distributors and retailers in most states, including 11 in the state of Florida.
  
X-treme Scooters and Cooler Scooter offer a similar product in price and style, but do not currently have a retailer in the Panhandle.
  
“A lot of folks assume it’s just for carrying around beer,” said Harmon. “You can take a scooter to the grocery store or use it for anything. Bottom line, you really can’t go wrong selling a power cooler in Florida.” 
 

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